Fenway Park and the American Heart Association Team Up For the Heart Beat of Boston

 

A case can be made Fenway Park is the heart of Boston. At least that’s the way members of Red Sox Nation feel.

Our ‘Field of Dreams‘ has caused hearts to flutter since the gates opened.  We’re not only talking about the 13 seasons the Green Monster hosted the World Series, the 9 times our ‘Boys of Summer’ brought the trophy home, or the times we’ve stopped breathing mid-season only to cheer again. But rather, and more importantly, Fenway Park is the heart of Boston because of the countless times the Boston Red Sox have contributed to our cultural, educational and physical wellbeing.

Last week was no exception.  Fenway hosted the first-ever, large-scale, Hands-Only CPR Training in Major League Baseball history. The Red Sox with the American Heart Association are committed to changing the future by underscoring the importance of teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation to all. CPR is a series of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing maneuvers with proven potential to save lives.

Prior to immersive on-field CPR training a panel of health advocates outlined the necessity of emergency response preparedness and the importance of immediate bystander interventions.

Dr. Jennifer Ashton, M.D., (ob/gyn/obesity), nutritionist, and Founder of *’Ajenda‘, moderated a discussion with Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, Savy King, professional soccer player, and 2018 Red Sox World Series Champion Brock Holt.

With others, the panel’s focus explained in a practical way what-to-do in a cardiac emergency. They advocated bystanders faced with a sudden cardiac event jump into action.  Dr. Ashton said, “Once a heart stops, you can do no harm, start chest compressions HARD and FAST! (100-120 compressions per minute)  Don’t stop the process until professional help arrives.”

“Designate someone to call 911 and someone else to find a portable AED~ Automated External Defibrillator. The device analyzes the heart’s rhythm, then prompts the helper through the process with audio/visual cues. Dr. Ashton said, “It’s Ok to be afraid, take immediate action anyway! It’s the most loving thing you can do.”

Nancy Brown said “Statistically there are 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests per year.  90% of the events are fatal. With proper intervention that statistic can be significantly improved.  Because every second matters, a key to success is to educate bystanders how to respond.

Savvy King relived the day, last May, when she collapsed 74 minutes into her professional soccer match. Prior to her cardiac arrest, the 20 year old Angel City defender thought she was in perfect health. She credits fast acting first responders and CPR for saving her life.

Using this experience to increase awareness of communal needs and expand emergency readiness. “Savy King of Hearts” is the athlete’s non-profit platform. It networks professional teams and young athletes with heart-health advocacy and CPR training programs.

After last Thursday’s Sox-Orioles game Fenway’s outfield was transformed into a CPR lab.  400 participants were taught the fundamentals of the lifesaving interaction.  The Red Sox and the American Heart Association expect this historic event, held during National CPR and AED Awareness Week, will save lives because it highlights the critical importance of heart-health education and reinforces the vital role we all play in improving survival outcomes during cardiac emergencies.

Dr. Jennifer Cluett, M.D. is the medical director of the Complex Hypertension Clinic at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She’s also the Board of Director’s president for Boston’s American Heart Association.  Dr. Cluett said ” This event showed what’s possible when a community comes together around a shared mission: making sure more people are prepared to save lives. Here in Boston, every person who learns CPR, volunteers, advocates or supports this work becomes part of building a healthier future for everyone.”

Dr.Cluett suggested those interested in helping expand CPR education, improve access to AEDs and support the American Heart Association’s work across Greater Boston can contact Executive Director Karen Whitefield at: karen.whitefield@heart.org

*’Ajenda’ is a multi-media woman’s health and wellness company ~ worth following.