Oakland, CA, Feb. 2, 2023 - February is American Heart Month and the American Heart Association is urging at least one person in every household to commit to learning Hands-Only CPR (also known as bystander CPR). Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of the death in the United States. This year, American Heart Month activities are designed to help motivate people to “Be the Beat” needed to keep someone alive by learning the two steps it takes to save a life:

  • Call 9-1-1
  • Push hard and fast in the center of the chest

Data from the American Heart Association--the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives--indicates that more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival which is key, since about 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. And, because about 70 percent of cardiac arrests happen at home, odds are the person who needs CPR will be a family member or friend[1]. Hands-Only CPR is quick and simple to learn and can be performed by any family member or bystanders. 

“If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of a loved one: a spouse, a parent, grandparent, child or a friend,” said Dr. Michelle A. Albert, president of the American Heart Association and Walter A. Haas-Lucie Stern Endowed Chair in Cardiology and Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. "We are excited to support the American Heart Association’s Hands-Only CPR campaign and bring awareness to the importance of knowing CPR this Heart Month. We encourage people to be prepared for a cardiac emergency by learning Hands-Only CPR to help save lives.”

Hands-Only CPR involves two simple steps and anyone can learn it from a 60-second video available at heart.org/handsonlycpr

Step 1: If a teen or adult in your home suddenly collapses, call 911 immediately. 

Step 2: Place one hand on top of the other as shown in the video and push hard and fast on the victim’s chest. 

A few more facts to consider:

  • Black and Hispanic people are less likely to receive bystander CPR than their white counterparts.
  • Women are less likely to receive CPR because people fear accusations of inappropriate touching, sexual assault, or injuring the person.
  • Only about 46 percent of people who suffer from cardiac arrest receive CPR from a bystander.

The American Heart Association, Bay Area is celebrating Heart Month and building awareness with several activities and events:

  • The annual Bay Area Go Red for Women Luncheon will be held in person for the first time in several years on Feb. 3 at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.
  •  National Wear Red Day® is also Friday, Feb. 3. We urge you to wear red to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and to share your red on social media using the #WearRedDay and #GoRedBayArea.
  • Public buildings and companies around the Bay Area will also go RED! If you’re near San Jose, check out the City Hall dome Feb. 3-10 when it will be glowing red.
  • The City of San Jose will also proclaim February as Heart Month during the Feb. 7 City Council meeting.

The American Heart Association, Bay Area is grateful for the support of our top local Go Red for Women sponsors this year: Chevron, Cisco, First Republic and UCSF.

Additional Resources:  

  

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About the American Heart Association  

The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies, and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. 

 

For Media Inquiries:   

BAY AREA CONTACT: Donna Kato, Donna.Kato@heart.org

Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) or heart.org