Summer Sun Safety Blog

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Summer Sun Protection With Summer in full swing it is difficult not to be tempted away from the workday to the beach, park or cottage! Whatever your preferred leisure activities in the summer entail it is important to be prepared for the sun and it’s harmful UV rays. First Aid Canada is pleased to offer an array of products to help prevent sunburns and also those to treat them, although we hope you never actually have to use them! For sun protection and burn prevention we highly recommend the following products:   Croc Bloc Sunscreen & Sunscreen Sachets Croc Bloc …

Warning Signs of Cardiac Arrest

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Warning Signs of Cardiac Arrest Cardiac Arrest can happen at any age and at any time. Although these incidences can be extremely hard to predict there are three red flags or warning signs, which could save your life. 1.Dizzy Spells Having dizzy spells or passing out during exercise can be a telltale sign of a heart condition. Dizziness can be a sign that your heart’s rhythm isn’t functioning regularly which may cause you to collapse. Luckily if you collapse with enough consciousness to wake up this is most likely a sign your heart was strong enough to regain it’s strength; …

29 Facts for #HeartMonth 2016

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29 Heart Facts for #HeartMonth 2016 As Heart Month 2016 comes to an end we thought it would be a great time to recap by sharing all 29 of this year’s facts that we have been releasing daily on social media. We have been sharing a Fact of The Day every day on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ to promote #HeartMonth and spread awareness for heart disease. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to connect with us: Twitter Facebook Google+ LinkedIn Here are our 29 #HeartMonth Facts: 1. The hardest-working muscle in your body is your heart. 2. The heart pumps …

Automated External Defibrillators for the Home

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  Automated External Defibrillators for the Home As we near the end of #HeartMonth we would like to bring it to your attention how important it is to consider an Automated External Defibrillator in the home. As mentioned in our previous blogs this month, Sudden Cardiac Arrest or Heart Attack is a frightening reality and is in increased risk for those facing Heart Disease. SCA and Heart Attack can occur at any age, at any time. Many people with an increased risk of these traumatizing accidents consider an AED for the home. First Aid Canada is pleased to carry the …

Heart Disease Prevention Tips

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Heart Disease Prevention Tips As we are well into Heart Month 2016 – If you haven’t been following on via social media we have been posting a very interested “Fact of The Day” every day to celebrate #HeartMonth. Twitter Facebook Google+  In this week’s blog we’ve decided to share a few heart disease prevention tips to encourage you and your loved ones to make healthier choices every day to benefit your overall health and well-being. Take Responsibility for Your Health The first step to becoming healthier and reducing your risks of heart disease is to take full responsibility for your …

February is Heart Month!

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  What is Heart Month? Heart month happens every February! Heart Month is meant to spread awareness of heart disease and stroke to promote prevention, and at the same time raise money for research on the best treatments when people do get it.  Who is behind Heart Month? For over 60 years the Heart and Stroke Foundation has organized Heart Month. It is has become one of the largest fundraising campaigns in Canada in the battle against these two preventable killers. Since its inception, tens of thousands of individuals and both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations take part including, various charities, health organizations …

Facts to Know This Winter: Heart Attack in Men vs. Women

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Facts to Know This Winter: Heart Attack in Men vs. Women   Every 7 minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke (Statistics Canada, 2011c). Unfortunately, it is too often we hear of heart issues occurring in the winter, for example from shoveling snow. It is important to thoroughly understand what occurs inside the body during these incidences to know best practices on how to treat and respond to them.   Angina & Heart Disease: Angina (chest pain) is a strong warning sign of heart disease and if left untreated will eventually lead to a heart attack, stroke …

All About the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

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All About the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function. There are two main types of stroke, this includes an ischemic stroke, caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain or a hemorrhagic stroke, caused by the rupture of blood vessels within the brain. Brain damage can occur from stroke because neurons of the affected area of the brain can die when they are deprived of oxygen and nutrients. When facing a stroke every second counts. By recognizing symptoms and acquiring treatment you can save yourself from brain damage. By knowing …

How to Prevent the Flu

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  How to Prevent the Flu For the majority catching a flu is a complete nuisance – interrupting your life and leaving you feeling crumby for a couple of weeks, but for some a flu can mean much more. People with certain health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system can be hit a lot harder by flu season and in some serious cases this can be life-threatening. Get Vaccinated The “Flu Shot” is recommended by experts as it is the single best way to avoid the flu. The vaccine works by injecting a weakened …

Understanding The Difference: Heart Attacks vs. Cardiac Arrest

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Giving Back: In October 2014 the First Aid Canada Team gave back in the form of first aid supplies to underprivileged communities in Honduras through the organization The Friends of Honduran Children. The FOHC is a non-profit organization based in Peterborough, Ontario. The organization is committed to the delivery of sustainable programs to the impoverished children and families in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Among the several services intended to break the cycle of inequality and poverty in this population, medical brigades is one way to contribute. This past October (2014), a health promotion brigade consisting of an interdisciplinary team including nursing students from Trent University, travelled to Honduras …

What You Should Know About Snow Shoveling and Sudden Cardiac Arrest

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There are an unsettling number of people who are rushed to the hospital with chest pain after shovelling their driveways, many of them have had a heart attack. Although a heart attack IS an excellent excuse to get out of clearing your driveway of snow…that is not why people are getting them! The bottom line comes down to risk of cardiovascular disease (such as high blood pressure or cholesterol), and not regularly exercising. If it’s been a while since you’ve exercised, it is best that when you do start back up, to take it slow. If someone who has not …