HeartStarters

02/21/2026

ACLS & BLS Certification – Friday, February 27th!

Join us at Heartstarters in Sioux Falls for hands-on, AHA-certified ACLS & BLS training.

✅ Great for healthcare professionals
✅ Meets job requirements
✅ Convenient local class

Date: Friday, February 27
Location: Heartstarters – Sioux Falls

Register here:
https://www.heartstarters.org/copy-of-aha-bls-for-healthcare

11/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CwHTiXBWR/

11/05/2025

💙 **I’m a Caregiver — I Don’t Stop When I’m Tired, I Stop When I’m Done** 💙

Because caregivers don’t quit — they care with all their heart until the job is done. 💪💖
This bold and meaningful shirt celebrates the dedication, love, and unstoppable spirit of caregivers who go above and beyond every day. 🌟

Perfect for proud caregivers, CNAs, nurses, and healthcare heroes who give their all to make a difference. 🙌

🎁 **Wear it proudly or gift it to a caregiver who inspires you with their strength and compassion!**

🛒 **Order yours today and show off your caregiver pride!**
Link: https://www.wbteeprints.com/dai1dfca-caregiver15

11/05/2025

11/05/2025

The Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) for Healthcare Professionals is a pocket-sized or digital reference tool, highly-popular among healthcare professionals for its convenient, quick access to the latest resuscitation science and treatment information. It is often included on hospital crash carts and accessed frequently in the field by EMS and other first responders. Find out more today! 🔗http://spr.ly/618973zTW

11/03/2025

Awesome Chart!

Electrolytes & EKG Changes

🧂 1. Potassium (K⁺) Changes

Hypokalemia (↓ K⁺) – Blue section
• ↓ ST segment (ST depression)
• Inverted T wave
• Prominent U wave
➡ May lead to arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or torsades de pointes.
(Illustration shows U wave following the T wave.)

Hyperkalemia (↑ K⁺) – Blue section
• Tall, peaked T waves (first sign)
• Prolonged PR interval
• Widened QRS complex
• ST elevation → sine-wave pattern (severe)
➡ Risk: cardiac arrest.
(Illustration shows sharp, tall T wave.)

🦴 2. Calcium (Ca²⁺) Changes

Hypocalcemia (↓ Ca²⁺) – Green section
• Prolonged QT interval (due to long ST)
• Flat T wave
• Severe → torsades de pointes / ventricular tachycardia
(Illustration: QT interval markedly prolonged.)

Hypercalcemia (↑ Ca²⁺) – Green section
• Short QT interval (due to short ST)
• Wide or flattened T wave
➡ Rarely causes arrhythmia but suggests hyperparathyroidism or malignancy.
(Illustration: QT interval shortened.)

💜 3. Magnesium (Mg²⁺) Changes

Hypomagnesemia (↓ Mg²⁺) – Orange section
• ↓ ST segment
• Inverted T wave
• Prolonged QT interval
➡ Often coexists with hypokalemia, increasing torsades de pointes risk.
(Illustration: prolonged QT with depressed ST.)

Hypermagnesemia (↑ Mg²⁺) – Orange section
• Prolonged PR interval
• Widened QRS complex
➡ Severe → heart block or asystole.
(Illustration: extended PR and widened QRS.)

💡 Overall Concept
• K⁺ affects T waves & QRS (muscle excitability)
• Ca²⁺ affects QT duration (contractile timing)
• Mg²⁺ stabilizes rhythm (modulates K⁺ & Ca²⁺)

11/03/2025

November is 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵. 🫁 Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the U.S., responsible for about 1 in 5 cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, contributing to about 80% of cases. Quitting, or avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke, is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk.

You can also protect yourself by limiting exposure to radon, asbestos and other known cancer-causing agents.

Because symptoms often don’t appear until later stages, early detection can save lives. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly lung screenings for adults ages 50 to 80 who currently smoke or used to, and have at least a 20 pack-year history of smoking.

💨 Think you might be at risk?
👉 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝘇 to learn more: https://www.woodcountyhospital.org/medical-services/cancer-care-center/lung-cancer-screening-quiz

11/03/2025

ECG (Electrocardiogram) waves and what each wave represents in the cardiac cycle.

🫀 1. P-Wave
• Origin: SA node generates a spontaneous action potential.
• Meaning: Atrial depolarization – the electrical activity that causes the atria to contract and push blood into the ventricles.
• Diagram: Arrows show contraction in both atria (upper chambers).

⚡ 2. PR Segment
• Process: After atrial depolarization, the signal reaches the AV node and slows down briefly.
• Purpose: This short delay allows the atria to complete contraction and the ventricles to fill with blood before they contract.
• Diagram: Shows electrical conduction pause between atria and ventricles.

❤️ 3. QRS Complex
• Pathway: The impulse travels through the Bundle of His → right and left bundle branches → Purkinje fibers.
• Meaning: Ventricular depolarization – ventricles contract to pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.
• Diagram: Green-shaded ventricles showing contraction.

💜 4. T-Wave
• Meaning: Ventricular repolarization – recovery phase when the ventricles relax and prepare for the next beat.
• Diagram: Ventricles shown relaxing (green filling back in).

11/03/2025

11/03/2025

Shop for recertified AEDs at AED Market. These used AEDs have been refurbished and will function as if they were new. Order now for free US shipping!