Customer Reviews

Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator (AED)

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have taught CPR for almost 35 years and currently head up an American Heart Association Training Center. My instructors have had access to the top 4 AED trainers for over 5 years, but every one of them prefers to use the Philips Medical Heartstart. The other trainers gather dust. The Philips line of AEDs began as HeartStream in the late 1990s and were the first on the market with FDA-approved biphasic (2 directional) shocks, first to put AEDs on airplanes (American Airlines), first with FDA-approved Pediatric Pads,the first and currently only AED officially approved by the American Dental Association, and the first to be able to be purchased without a doctor's prescription. And considering that just a few years ago, AEDs cost almost $5000, the price makes it a steal! If you have a loved one in your home with a heart condition, this is the device for you! Be aware that no device guarantees success, and this machine will not help a heart attack, but it is the best chance for someone who experiences a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (complete heart stoppage). But if you buy it, please also take the time to get trained in its use by attending a HeartSaver AED training course - use of an AED is only 1 of 4 links in the AHA "Chain of Survival". You can find a course near you by going on the American Heart Association Webpage and locating a Training Center or Training Site near you, or call Philips Customer Service.

Contrary to what John Stevenson said in his review, you cannot administer a shock to someone who does not need it.

The device has a built-in monitoring function that only allows you to shock when it detects the inproper heart function.

Since my husband's family has a history of heart disease, I thought I would look into getting one of these. In researching the topic at the Consumer Reports website, I found that they reported that the resuscitation rate nationally is 2 to 5%. With a Home Defibrillator, the rate jumps to 40 to 50%.

In researching further, I found that the Phillips is the only Home Defibrillator available to buy without a prescription. The website for this product, www.heartstarthome.com, has a wealth of information. They offer assistance in finding out if insurance or Medicare will cover some of the cost of this product.

The American Heart Association states that 340,000 people in the U.S. die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) each year. St. Jude Medical Center website (sjm.com) lists the risk factors for SCA, although SCA can occur without any risk factors:

Heart attack
Heart failure
Heart surgery
Coronary artery disease
Diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Cigarette smoking
Drug or alcohol abuse
Excess weight
High fat diet
Sedentary lifestyle
Stress
Certain medications (over-the-counter and prescriptions, including decongestants, diet and herbal supplements)
Family history of arrhythmia or sudden cardiac arrest
Congenital heart disorders (heart problems present at birth, usually involving the heart's chambers or valves)
Advancing age

I was very impressed with the amount of on-line support at www.heartstarthome.com, including a video and a demo. The demo shows exactly how the product works. It removed all doubt about whether I would be able to use this product. (Obviously, taking the American Heart Association class is highly advisable!) Thanks, Philips.

We have 2 of these in our office. Two weeks ago an employee had a heart attack. Someone started CPR and I hooked up the the AED. After 5 shocks the womens heart restarted and she started breathing on her own. The ambulance response time was more than 10 minutes. (This is faster than average in NYC) Without the AED this 40 year old women would be dead. Two weeks later she is back at work.

The device is very simple to use. The most important thing is to avoid panic. And don't give up, keep at it until the ambulance arrives.

At church today I came upon a man who had partially collapsed. Since I'm a physician, I stopped and offered aid. It turns out that he had a history of heart disease and was having some pretty concerning symptoms. To my dismay, we do not have an AED at our church (yet). We notified 911, and he was taken for medical care without any problems, but I was a bit worried there for a few minutes. While I'm trained in BLS, that is, at best, a temporizing measure. AEDs have a proven ability to diagnose and treat fatal heart rhythms. In my opinion, places of public gathering should consider purchasing one of these devices. I'll be working with our church to see if we can get one. I would have been a bit more relaxed waiting for EMS if I had had one of these today.

However, buying an AED is not a cure-all. I have been trained on these, and they are very simple to learn to use. However, I think it would be quite difficult for someone who had never used one use it correctly during the stress of a cardiac arrest. If you are considering buying an AED for home or public use, I strongly suggest reading the section on AEDs at the American Heart Association website. It discusses some of the important preparations to consider before the purchase of such a device.

So, while not for everyone, this is one of the few products available that can truly save lives. In the right situation, it is indispensable.

I'm concerned that some reviews here seem to indicate that AEDs require a license or other specialized training to use. Most states require that users take an approved CPR class that includes AED training. Most CPR classes today offer this additional training. If you are concerned, call your local ambulance or fire department. They should have good information about the requirements (if any) in your area.

AEDs save lives. They are very, very easy to use. They should be in every home and office in the United States. They are made to be virtually "idiot-proof." It is EXTREMELY unlikely that you could shock someone that didn't need to be shocked. They walk you through just what to do in a cardiac arrest emergency.

I have been a career paramedic for nearly a decade. I have managed dozens of cardiac arrests. Of the very few "saves" we have had, almost all of them involved the use of an AED before we arrived. CPR is important, but it's been overrated by TV. The #1 goal when the heart stops -- whether you're in the operating room, emergency room, in an ambulance, or lying on your living room floor -- is to defibrillate that heart in an attempt to get it to beat normally again.

An accepted statistic is that the chances of survival decrease by about 10% for every minute the patient is without a pulse. In most places, you're lucky if you can get an ambulance crew into your home in under 8-10 minutes. Factor in the time it takes you to realize what's going on and to call 911. You do the math. Even with CPR, without an AED it's just about hopeless.

This is a good product. Anyone who can afford it should purchase it for better peace of mind. You should also take a CPR class and familiarize yourself with the unit.

Though I am a doctor, this review should not be interpreted as medical advice as I am not aware of your personal risk of heart disease. The decision to buy one of these is up to you and your physician. Below I explain why I am considering betting one of these, factors that may influence your decision to by one for your home, and why as a business owner you may want to get one.

I do not own this product but am looking to get one for my car/home. I am doing so because as a physician I have saved lives with these devices in the hospital. I know how critical it is to rapidly correct short circuits in the largest portion of the heart, called the ventricles. These short circuits, known as v tach or v fib can only be reliably fixed within several minutes of onset. Even if you dial 911 it may be too late by the time paramedics arrive.

On the other hand the chance that any single person will need one of these devices is low. And the cost is not cheap!

Things that you may want to factor into your decision to buy one of these devices is whether you have someone in your family who is at moderate risk for heart disease and short circuits. For example someone with a prior heart attack but who still has a strong heart might consider having one of these (people with weak hearts may actually want to have a defibrillator implanted into their skin). If you live alone this would not be a wise choice since someone else will need to use if on you. I think it would be wise to be trained in Basic Life Saving if you want to use this devise to prevent inappropriate use that may be harmful. Also you definitely need to keep this out of the reach of kids.

So if you are someone at risk for a short circuit of your heart, live with someone who can get trained in life saving, have the money, and especially if you live a long way from a paramedic, think about buying one of these devices. Things such as food, medication, heat are much more important however.

If you own/run a business with customers or employees over 50 years old, such as a health club or restaurant, get one and get trained. You could save the life of a customer or employee, which is wonderful in many ways. I also guarantee you there is a lawyer waiting for one of your patrons to have a heart attack and die at your business and sue you for millions because "you were too cheap" to buy one of these. So both from a humanity, good business, and liability standpoint this is a wise investment for a business owner.

It is irresponsible for people that do not know about this, to post in your site any opinion about something as important as sudden death. There are two people in your site (both of them signing as EMTs), saying that an AED is not so important to prevent sudden death.

I am a cardiologist and have been training people in Emergency Cardiac Care for years now and can say that they are absolutely wrong. I have no relation with any AED manufacturer and all of the FDA approved ones are good.

VF and VT are the cause of most sudden cardiac deaths. About 80% of people who dies suddenly have this arrythmia as the main cause. Just in the US, every year die more people of VF or VT than of car accidents, house fires, breast cancer and prostate cancer together.

This does not mean that to have a HeartStart AED in your home is as good as controling risk factors or going to a hospital if you have chest pain or shortness of breath. But, if someone in your home has a heart condition you can save them with an AED if you act in the first 8 minutes after cardiac arrest. The AED is a very effective device if used well. You should also learn CPR but, without defibrillation, the chance of surviving is a lot less.

In places like O'Hare Airport in Chicago they save about one person every two weeks using defibrillators. No one can affirm that all AEDs WILL save lives. But they could. It is not indicated for everyone but, for someone who can spend $1500 and have a heart condition that make them prone to sudden death, this device can be a very justificable spending.

As an Emergency Nurse Practitioner and Paramedic, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting electricity to an adult who is suffering from cardiac arrest. Technology is moving quickly to get electricity to the cardiac arrest victim earlier and earlier -- and the survival rates AND quality of life rates after such an arrest are sky rocketing accordingly.

Is there too much direct-to-consumer marketing by medical-related companies? Probably. Is your personal risk for experiencing sudden cardiac arrest per calendar year low? Definitely. ...but do those smug reviewers refuse to buy vehicles with airbags in them just because their risk of being in an accident is low and the direct-to-consumer marketing is irritating to them? No! Those will be the same folks who want their cars with anti-lock breaks, airbags, the best side-impact reinforcements... and being a good driver (ie, "just improve your diet") won't cancel their risk for being in an accident.

I hope you never have to use this machine, but as an emergency healthcare worker -- both pre-hospital and in the emergency room -- I cannot say enough positive about AED's in the community setting!

Don't run out and purchase this out of paranoia, however if yuo are at risk for a sudden cardiac event consider if this would be appropriate for you, your family members, your apartment building, your church, etc. ...and rest assured that it is absolutely safe -- it is impossible to hurt a loved one with this, you can only help.

...and to those who gave negative reviews on this AED? Don't forget to pay your car insurance!...

As an ER/Trauma nurse I have seen and been involved in many, many cardiac arrests. Here is some information that you need to know 1) You must still perform adequate CPR, if not brain death occurs within 4 minutes of oxygen deprivation to the brain! 2) Even with trained personnel, CPR, a defibrillator and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (medications) the survival rate is very, very low.
I am not telling you this to discourage purchasing this AED it is a wonderful unit I have been trained on it and had to use it once. I am letting you know that if you are willing to spend over $1000 on a defibrillator (especially for a private home)then a good idea would be to spend another $50 and take a basic CPR class. I hope that no one that buys this ever has to use it!!