By Amina Abdul Salam CAIRO, Oct 3, 2018 - World Health Organisation statistics indicate that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Egypt, accounting for 46 per cent of total deaths. To mark Heart Awareness Month and World Heart Day last month, the Egyptian Red Crescent launched a campaign called Back to Rhythm. It is aimed at creating public awareness about cardiac health and increasing the chances of survival of victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The campaign takes the form of stakeholders engagement in raising awareness of good heart health. It includes educational programmes about encouraging healthy eating, adopting a healthy lifestyle and training on Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support. The campaign encourages public participation in different biking challenges which will see Philips funding automated external defibrillators (AED's) nationwide. The Philips company is a leader in automated external defibrillators (AEDs) having shipped over one and half million AEDs to customers across the world. AEDs will be donated to the Egyptian Red Crescent to place everywhere Cairo. The AED is simple in design, and portable. It uses a clear, calm voice to give audible instructions and acts as a personal coach that guides the user in the resuscitation process. The user of the AED does not have to recognise heart rhythms because the AED does so automatically, making the treatment option easy to use with minimal training.
