Tura, June 30: More than 100 nurses and healthcare professionals from government and private institutions across West Garo Hills took part in a one-day workshop titled “Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest: What’s the Difference?” held at SMELC, Tura on Monday.
The event was organised by the West Garo Hills Unit of the Trained Nurses Association of India as part of its Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) programme.
The workshop aimed to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively respond to cardiac emergencies, with a strong focus on distinguishing between heart attacks and cardiac arrests, and applying appropriate intervention techniques such as CPR, Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).
About CPR, BLS, and ACLS:
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure involving chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain circulation during cardiac arrest.
Basic Life Support (BLS) builds on CPR with the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and rapid recognition of cardiac arrest.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) involves advanced medical interventions such as ECG interpretation, airway management, and IV medication — typically used in hospital settings. Together, these form the Chain of Survival that greatly improves survival chances in cardiac emergencies.
The session on Monday began with an introduction by Chisme Wegara, who clarified the critical differences between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest. This was followed by Dr. T. Sarangpi Sangtam, who delivered a session on basic resuscitation measures, outlining life-saving steps during emergencies.
Dr. Stevie Jaseng N. Sangma then gave a detailed lecture on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of heart attacks, along with a primer on interpreting basic ECG rhythms. In the post-lunch session, Dr. Sangtam conducted live, hands-on training on BLS and ACLS, offering participants real-time exposure to emergency protocols.
Salchira D. Sangma, Public Health Nurse at the District Family Welfare Bureau, West Garo Hills, noted that the workshop not only strengthened participants’ practical skills but also contributes to license renewal under the CNE programme. She also highlighted the Chief Minister’s initiative to provide international work opportunities for nurses, saying, “This will allow our nurses to gain valuable global experience and return to serve better here in the Garo Hills.”
Several participants praised the workshop for its relevance and impact. Urmila Hajong, Staff Nurse at Dalu CHC, said she would share the CPR knowledge with her team and community. Detchi T. Sangma, Nursing Tutor at the School of Nursing, Tura Christian Hospital, added that the training had boosted their confidence in handling real-time cardiac cases.
The workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates to all participants.
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