Hyderabad: According to the American Heart Association, more than 35,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year throughout the United States. Many of these events happen while people are working out.
A recent study in the journal of the American College of Cardiology found that 136 (or about 16 per cent) of 849 public, indoor sudden cardiac arrests reported over a 12-year period in and around Seattle occurred at either traditional or non-traditional exercise facilities.That study also found that people who suffered cardiac arrest in traditional exercise facilities had a 56% survival rate, compared to just 45 per cent for people who were in non-traditional exercise facilities (like community centres, church gyms, and dance studios), and 34 per cent for those in other public spaces (like a mall or an airport).
One device that helps in such conditions is an AED (automated external defibrillator). Usually contained in a small portable box, it includes electric sensors that can be used to shock a person’s heart back into rhythm if it has stopped or is beating irregularly. Small gyms and non-traditional workout venues are less likely to have this device but some people might want to consider getting one if they’ll be exercising regularly in a specific location. It should depend on your individual risk factors and personal preference.
Ravi, a resident of Vanasthalipuram, experienced excruciating pain for a couple of days. He knew it could be related to the lifting of heavy weights at the gym, but he took his time before seeing a doctor. He was told to rest for at least two weeks and not to lift any weights.
Ravi told Deccan Chronicle he was lucky. “I was barely able to stand at the gym and my friends panicked because of the recent death of a youngster that left everyone in shock. It’s high time for every individual to take care of themselves and not seek too much from the gym like me. There are also deaths that took place but anyhow I was lucky.”
On an average, 114 people died worldwide from using free weights and weight machines and an estimated 4,59,978 people were injured while exercising or using exercise equipment in 2018-2019. On an average, there are 1400 cases of gym injuries all over the country.
In a recent survey by Deccan Chronicle, it was evident that many people who joined a gym never bother to check the standards that the gym is maintaining, as for instance if it has an AED or can do CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation), in case of cardiac distress.
Mr Sunil Sharma, a 42 year old regular at a gym said he didn’t think such information was required as he had been going to the same gym for a year now. His gym had no CPR or AED in the four years of its existence.
Gym trainer Satish from Sainikpuri told Deccan Chronicle, “One has to get a certificate course of K11, BIF, Reebok, Adidas, etc to maintain a gym with CPR, AED. This is highly recommended.” He also said that in most parts of the city, people are not aware of what exactly the gym must have (methods or measures). Cardiologist Sridhar Kasthuri says that in a condition of sudden cardiac arrest at gym centres, it is necessary to have CPR and AED. “These two can save the life of someone suffering from cardiac arrest. CPR is the act of repeatedly compressing a person’s chest in order to keep their blood pumping throughout their body. CPR helps vital organs to function even if the person’s heart has stopped beating. AED has the ability to restart the heart. So, when you are about to join a gym, specially people aged about 30, or people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or having any health quirks, must work out in a gym which has AED, CPR facility. If AED is not available, continuing CPR is necessary until medical professionals arrive,” he said.
Some people like to work out only in summer and some for a couple of months. After some months they rejoin. This is not right, says Satish, a gym trainer from Saiikpuri.
If one has to suddenly stop going to the gym, one should spend just a little of the usual time on exercising at home. “For example, if one spends nearly one hour at the gym, then one should at least spend 15 minutes exercising, otherwise whatever pressure you have put on vital parts of your body to get slim, they suddenly get out of control weight-wise,” he added. Going to a gym is a good idea especially in summer when your body temperature rises as you exercise, which results in heavy sweating, the release of more toxins through the sweat, and you drink more water.
Doing exercises in summer is best if you want to shred some kilos or want to go on a detox diet. But it is necessary to ensure that the gym has the necessary equipment in case of a medical emergency.
