To learn how to save hearts if someone goes into cardiac arrest or has a heart attack, Lynne Featherstone MP on Friday did a ‘heartstart’ training course with the local ambulance service.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP received comprehensive training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation – the process of ‘restarting’ the heart – the only way to save a life if a person has gone into cardiac arrest.

The current survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in London is 21.5%, but in some cities, such as Seattle in the US, survival rates are as high as 46%.

The ‘heartstart’ training course, run by Sarah Dale, the Community Resuscitation Officer for the London Ambulance Service, aims to increase London survival rates by teaching CPR skills, and is available for members of the public.

MP Lynne now wants to encourage local residents to take the two hour course, and learn how to save lives.

Residents who want to sign up, shouldcall 020 7783 2534 or email resustraining@londonambulance.nhs.uk.

The Liberal Democrat MP is also writing to local schools to encourage them to run the course for their pupils.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It was really easy to learn how to save a life, by doing this two hour ‘heartstart’ course, and it can make all the difference to someone’s chances of survival if they collapse and stop breathing.

“The difference in survival rates between London and Seattle shows that we are still losing hearts in London that are too good to die, and the way to fight this is to help spread awareness about how to do CPR and use a defibrillator.

“I would encourage all residents to sign up for the ‘heartstart’ course, because if a loved one should suffer cardiac arrest or a heart-attack, your skills can be life-saving.”

Sarah Dale, Community Resuscitation Officer for the London Ambulance Service, adds:

“When a person suffers acardiac arrest, blood is no longer being pumped effectively around their body and oxygen is not reaching their brain. It’s vital that someone calls 999 for an ambulance and starts cardiopulmonary resuscitation straightaway.

“We are on hand to deliver ‘heartstart’ courses in London. Please do get in touch and help spread awareness.”