In the movies, when someone has a medical emergency, there’s always a serendipitously placed doctor on the street, ready to announce their profession and save the day. But in real life, the chances of this happening are slim.
You’ve probably seen a defibrillator somewhere around the island, but if you were being totally honest with yourself, in an emergency you wouldn’t have the foggiest clue where the nearest one was – or if you did manage to locate one, how to actually use it. Unfortunately, five minutes spent faffing about with pads and frantically searching for instructions is probably going to be the difference between life and death. Most of us, myself included, don’t like to think about this. Instead we tell ourselves it would never happen to us – or if it did, surely someone else would know what to do.
But heart attacks are more common than you think. Chances are someone you care about – or someone they know – has experienced one. Around one in three people in Jersey have a heart condition, and heart attacks remain the leading single cause of death on the Island. Roughly four in ten hospital admissions have a cardiac cause, and cardiovascular disease accounts for about 20% of healthcare costs in the British Isles.
Many are moved by these statistics to donate to organisations such as The British Heart Foundation, which does important work and is well worth supporting. However, what came as a shock to me was that not a penny of the money donated to this organisation stays in Jersey. Few people are aware of this, and if you care more about the cause than the location, it may not matter to you. But if you’d rather your fundraising directly benefit your own community and loved ones, the only way to do that is through the Jersey Heart Support Group (JHSG).
The JHSG directly aids the general hospital, working with cardiovascular surgeons to improve and fund local medical services. They also educate the public on the importance of knowing where the nearest defibrillator is – and how to use one with confidence in an emergency. We set out to profile the members of the JHSG, to raise awareness of their work on the island. Read on to discover some of their favourite heart health statistics, as well as the life mantras that keep their blood pumping.
Richard Collinson: Founder and Committee Member
“Do what you love and love what you do.”
Give us a Statistic…
In the UK every 3 minutes someone dies from a heart or circulatory disease.
Anne Blackburn: Secretary
“I don’t have a life mantra. I’m just winging it!”
Give us a Statistic…
In the 1960s more than 7 out of 10 heart attacks in the UK were fatal. Today more than 7 out of 10 people survive.
Adam Le Gresley: Hearty
“Never give up even when life throws you a curveball”
Give us a Statistic…
Learning CPR and how to use an AED saves lives.
Sarah Le Gresley: Event and Committee Member
“Walk and be happy, walk and be healthy”
Give us a Statistic…
There are approximately 110 defibrillators on the island.
Mandi Corley Harris: Chair
“Always try to give something back.”
Give us a Statistic…
There is a 10-minute window of opportunity for successful AED resuscitation, called “the golden 10.”
Tracey Jeanne: Vice chair
“Live everyday as if it were your last.”
Give us a Statistic…
Since 1961 the English death rate from heart and circulatory diseases has declined by three quarters.
Mark Harris: AED Lead
“Try and give 100% to everything you do and do it with a smile on your face!”
Give us a Statistic…
1% to 2% of Jerseys population suffer from heart failure.
Andy Robins: Vice Chair & Safeguarding Officer
“Have conviction in your actions and be respectful of other people’s views.”
Give us a Statistic…
Globally it is estimated that 1 in 12 people are living with a heart or respiratory disease.
