CARDIAC ARREST IN PATIENTS AGED 65-95 YEARS OLD WITHIN THE SPRING

MONTHS

Charles Bluford Science Intern, Marymount Hospital

Advisor: Peter Flauto M.S., R.N., B.S.N., CNOR Director of Perioperative and Cardiology Services,

Marymount Hospital

Purpose We wanted to know why elderly people

succumb to so many health problems due to seasonal changes and if there is a connection to the High mortality rates due to cardiac arrest in this seasonal frame.

intoduction There is limited research on this topic

which makes it highly controversial. However, if there is a true connection

between the seasons and human health then we can better protect our hospitalized patients and any senior citizens that are in this age range

Is our physical and mental being interconnected with the weather? There are credible sources that point to

humans and the weather being one in the same.

During the winter months there is a mortality spike due to suicides. (Banzer et al., 2012)

Also during the summer months their is a spike in agitation and irritability (Vorvick et al., 2012)

It can’t just be a coincidence.

Why is this important to me?

Aging is an inevitability. No matter what you do to make yourself look young you cannot escape it.

So It is important to know what to look out for once you hit 65.

There are many tips and bad habits to watch out for in order for you to live as long as possible.

Health conditions that hits Elderly people the hardest

Heart Attack/Myocardial Infarction (MI) (When blood flow is blocked to a portion of the heart.)

Poor Blood Circulation (When your blood is not flowing properly to portions of your body.)

Fatigue ( The difficulty to perform normal movements due to extreme exertion or tiredness.)

Vitamin D deficiency ( You are below the level of vitamin D you should have in your body.)

Cardiac arrest (Sudden unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness.)

Question At What age does the body start to loose

the ability to contract its muscles and efficiently and lead to poor blood circulation and hardened arteries?

The sun is out greatest source of vitamin D.

Clots are more common during the winter.

Sedentary Life

Objective To prove that seasonal variations play a role in

human health and take steps to protect our elderly from the harmful effects by putting forth more procedures to handle them.

For example in the winter have more neurological tests and during the spring have more heart monitors and tests to protect them from depression and cardiac arrest. In theory this should increase patient quality of life and promote a safer environment for future patients as well.

Methodology A systematic and comprehensive Meta

Analysis and literature search was done through consulting Medline, Pub med and Mayo Clinic.

Data Collection Data was extracted From Peer-Reviewed

articles. The criteria was that they had to be from

1999-2013 and have words suck as seasonal Articles that had information on seasonal

changes, heat attacks or cardiac arrest in the elderly.

These articles showed key words such as Blood clots, Seasonal Affection Disorder.

Also they would have to be able to be traced back to the author of the article

Results Based on the compelling evidence I feel

that seasonal changes do effect our psychological and physiological well-being and that our bodies respond to weather changes.

I also think this that this topic requires further research and analysis to back up our review o the data collected.

Recomendations Doctors recommend that for Vitamin D3 Deficiency that

you become more active and get more sun exposure/(Ultraviolet B Raise) to stimulate the vitamin D receptors. Or if you are not accustomed to physical activity take a Vitamin D tablet that will keep your levels healthy. 1,000 IU/day per 25lbs of body weight and 5,000 IU/day. (According to the Vitamin D Council 2012)

For Senior Citizens if you are experiencing chest pain do not assume that it is part of old age and see your family doctor immediately. Just because you haven’t had a history of heart problems does not mean they can’t occur. (Smith et al., 2012)

Symptoms of a heart attack/Cardiac Arrest

For Cardiac arrest it is Continual chest pain.

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Heart palpitations Dizziness Numbness or tingling sensations sudden loss of consciousness, breathing

and sever chest pain

Answer to my question Notable Muscle contraction weakness is

found to start when you are around 85 years old.

References1. Banzer, M. (n.d.). The effects of weather on health and how to prepare. Retrieved

from e:///D:/The Effects of Weather on Health and how to prepare.htm2. Clinic Staff, M. (2012, 11 15). Sudden cardiac arrest. Retrieved from

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sudden-cardiac-arrest/DS007643. CMAJ. (1999, 11 16). Elderly most affected by seasonal variation in deaths due to

mi, stroke. Retrieved from http://www.cmaj.ca/content/161/10/1233.2.full.pdf4. Council, V. D. (2012). How do i get the vitamin d my body needs?. Retrieved from

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/how-do-i-get-the-vitamin-d-my-body-needs/

5.Copenhagen, U. (2012, 09 24). Vitamin d deficiency increase risk of heart disease. Retrieved from ew.ku.dk/all_news/2012/2012.9/vitamin-d-deficeincy-increase-risk-of-heart-disease/

6. Hennie CJP Janssen, Monique M Samson, Harald JJ Verhaar,Vitamin d deficiency, muscle function, and falls in elderly people1,2. (2001, 9 17). Retrieved from http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/4/611.full

7.Smith, R. (7, 25 12). Elderly people suffering from undiagnosed heat problems: study. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9423235/Elderly-suffering-undiagnosed-heart-problems-study.html

8.Vorvick, L. (2, 11 12). Seasonal affective disorder. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001532.htm

Recognition I would like to thank Mr.Vawters, Miss.

Sterlekar and Mr. Dressman And a Special Thanks to Peter Flauto and

Daniel Pocek.