Dr. Douglas Zipes, chairman of cardiology at Indiana University, has proposed placing a defibrillator in every neighborhood throughout the United States. The concept, called "Neighborhood Heart Watch," is similar to initiatives such as the Crime Watch and volunteer firefighter programs already in place. A 911 call would immediately be Shunted to the designated Neighborhood Heart Watch home equipped with an automated external defibrillator, dramatically reducing the response time and improving chances of survival. The ambulance in response to the 911 call would be dispatched in the usual manner.
As part of the Neighborhood Heart Watch initiative, we suggest all persons who feel they might be at risk for cardiac arrest find out whether their local fire station or emergency responder unit has a detailed map showing their current home address, should the unexpected happen.
In cases of cardiac arrest, a defibrillator to restart a heart should be used in five minutes or less. Treatment for a heart attack or stroke is also time-sensitive. Each minute lost, from the onset of symptoms to the time of emergency assistance, slowly closes the window of opportunity for successful intervention and recovery.
The bottom line: make sure the fire department or 911 responder has your name, address, phone number, and an accurate map of how to find your residence in an emergency.
For more on Neighborhood Heart Watch, see "An Emergency Room in Your Chest-An Interview With Dr. Douglas Zipes" in the March/April 2002 issue of the Post.
An excerpt from "Stolen Hearts"--a compelling novel by Dr. Zipes and his wife, Joan, can be found on page 44 of this issue. Their fiction carries an important message about the looming black market for transplantable hearts.
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