About this session
Cardiac emergencies do not always look dramatic at first. Someone may describe pressure, tightness, indigestion-like discomfort, unusual breathlessness, sweating, nausea, pain in the arm or jaw, or simply say that something feels seriously wrong.
This uncertainty can cause dangerous delay. Colleagues may wait for the symptoms to become more obvious, encourage the person to finish a meeting or suggest that they drive themselves home rather than activating emergency support.
A heart attack and cardiac arrest are different emergencies. During a heart attack, blood flow to part of the heart is blocked and the person is often conscious and breathing.
During cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops pumping effectively, and the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally or is only gasping.
This session helps employees and managers recognize concerning signs, call the locally applicable emergency number, follow dispatcher instructions, locate an AED and begin CPR when appropriate.
It supports workplace readiness but does not replace accredited first-aid, CPR or AED training.
What your people take away
- Recognize common and less obvious warning signs of a possible heart attack
- Understand the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest
- Know when to activate emergency services rather than waiting or arranging private transport
- Respond appropriately when someone becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally
- Understand the roles of CPR, an AED and workplace emergency procedures
Shared with you
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What each length covers
30 minutes
30 Minutes — Key Points: Recognize When Something May Be Seriously WrongA focused 30-minute session on three key points from Recognize When Something May Be Seriously Wrong: notice chest pressure and discomfort, look beyond the chest and take unusual symptoms seriously.
- Notice chest pressure and discomfort
- Look beyond the chest
- Take unusual symptoms seriously
Covers 3 of 4 points in Recognize When Something May Be Seriously Wrong.
60 minutes
A practical introduction to possible heart-attack symptoms, less obvious presentations and the importance of acting without waiting for a diagnosis.
- Module 1: Recognize When Something May Be Seriously Wrong
- Live Q&A
Covers 1 of 3 parts: Recognize When Something May Be Seriously Wrong.
90 minutes
Everything in the 60-minute session, plus clear guidance on calling emergency services, avoiding private transport and supporting someone while help is arriving.
- Module 1: Recognize When Something May Be Seriously Wrong
- Module 2: Take Immediate and Appropriate Action
- Live Q&A
Covers 2 of 3 parts: Recognize When Something May Be Seriously Wrong and Take Immediate and Appropriate Action.
3 hours
Covers all 3 parts.
Full day
Full exploration of possible heart attack, cardiac arrest, emergency activation, CPR, AED use and workplace response planning.
- Module 1: Recognize When Something May Be Seriously Wrong
- Module 2: Take Immediate and Appropriate Action
- Module 3: Respond to Cardiac Arrest and Prepare the Workplace
- Live Q&A
Covers all 3 parts, in more depth, with more time to practice.
What’s covered
Recognize When Something May Be Seriously Wrong
Every length- Notice chest pressure and discomfortA possible heart attack may involve pressure, squeezing, heaviness, fullness, burning or pain in the chest rather than one sudden sharp pain.
- Look beyond the chestPain or discomfort may spread to one or both arms, the neck, jaw, back or stomach.
- Take unusual symptoms seriouslySymptoms can differ between people and may begin gradually or feel less severe than expected.
- Respond to the situation, not a diagnosisA colleague does not need to prove that they are having a heart attack before emergency help is requested.
Take Immediate and Appropriate Action
90 minutes and longer- Call emergency services without delayPersistent chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm, neck or jaw, severe breathing difficulty, collapse or abnormal responsiveness should trigger immediate emergency action.
- Do not ask the person to driveSomeone experiencing possible cardiac symptoms should not drive themselves to hospital or be expected to arrange their own transport.
- Keep the person safe and supportedWhile help is arriving, the person should be helped into a comfortable position, reassured and monitored for changes in responsiveness and breathing.
- Avoid unqualified treatment adviceColleagues should not give food, drink, someone else's medication or improvised treatment.
Respond to Cardiac Arrest and Prepare the Workplace
3 hours and longer- Recognize cardiac arrestA person in cardiac arrest is unresponsive and is not breathing normally or may only be gasping.
- Begin CPR and follow dispatcher guidanceOnce emergency services have been called, a responder should begin CPR according to their training and the dispatcher's instructions.
- Use the AED as soon as it arrivesAn automated external defibrillator analyzes the heart rhythm and gives spoken or visual instructions to the user.
- Know the workplace emergency planEmployees should know how to contact emergency services, where the nearest AED is located, who the trained first-aid responders are and how responders will enter the building.
How booking works
- Book online. Create a free Workbliss profile, then pay with session credits, by card or by invoice.
- Pick a date. Choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or book now and set the date later.
- Choose your expert. Within 3 working days, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date.
- We deliver it. Your expert is briefed on your people and goals, then runs the session live online or at your site.
Questions about Recognizing a Possible Cardiac Emergency
How long is Recognizing a Possible Cardiac Emergency?
Recognizing a Possible Cardiac Emergency runs as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 3 hours or full day. You choose the length when you book. A 30-minute session covers three key points from Recognize When Something May Be Seriously Wrong: notice chest pressure and discomfort, look beyond the chest and take unusual symptoms seriously. A 60-minute session covers Recognize When Something May Be Seriously Wrong in full, with a live Q&A. A 90-minute session adds Take Immediate and Appropriate Action. A 3-hour session adds Respond to Cardiac Arrest and Prepare the Workplace. A full-day session covers everything, in more depth, with more time to practice.
Can Recognizing a Possible Cardiac Emergency be delivered online or in person?
Yes, both. It runs live online, so every office can join at the same time, or in person at your site, in any country.
How do we book Recognizing a Possible Cardiac Emergency?
Create a free Workbliss profile with your work email, then open Recognizing a Possible Cardiac Emergency to see the price for each length and book it. You can pay with session credits, by card or by invoice, and choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or set it later.
Who leads the session?
A vetted Workbliss expert, briefed on your people, culture and goals before the session. After you book, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date within 3 working days, so you can choose who leads it.
Can it be tailored to our company?
Yes. Every session is shaped around your goals, your people and the benefits you already offer, and delivered by experts in your people’s languages.