COLUMBUS, OH, Jan. 30, 2023 - According to American Heart Association data, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital in the United States each year. This February during American Heart Month, the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, is urging at least one person in every household to learn CPR or Hands-Only CPR.

CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival – which is key since about 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. And, because about 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home, odds are the person who needs CPR will be a family member or friend. 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 Nancy Tobbe, executive director for the American Heart Association, Central Ohio. "We are excited to bring awareness to the importance of knowing CPR this Heart Month and 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 90-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.

Locally, American Heart Month will kick off on Monday, Jan. 30, when Columbus City Council declares Friday, Feb. 3 Wear Red Day in Columbus to call attention to the No. 1 killer of women – cardiovascular diseases. National Wear Red Day® is the icon day of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement and American Heart Month. From landmarks to online communities, neighborhoods to news anchors, this annual groundswell unites millions of people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke. Columbus City Council will support the Association’s iconic day by encouraging everyone in the community to wear red and raise awareness of heart disease and stroke in women.

And, for the first time in three years, the American Heart Association, will bring their Columbus Go Red for Women Luncheon back in person. More than 700 people decked out from head to toe in red are expected to gather Thurs., Feb. 16 at the Columbus Go Red for Women Luncheon to raise awareness and help fund the fight against heart disease and stroke, which claim the lives of 1 in 3 women.

The Go Red for Women Luncheon is one of the nation’s premier events for the American Heart Association and the signature fundraising event for its Go Red for Women movement, which harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to improve their health, and in turn, support their families and communities.

With the theme of Be the Beat, this year’s luncheon will highlight impactful, local Association-funded research focused on improving maternal health outcomes, tools and information to help Columbus improve training and bystander CPR rates for women and inspiring stories of survival shared by local woman impacted by heart disease and stroke.

According to the American Heart Association, people feel more confident performing Hands-Only CPR and are more likely to remember the correct rate when trained to the beat of a familiar song. All songs in our 'Don't Drop the Beat' playlist are between 100 - 120 beats per minute, the same rate at which rescuers should perform compressions when administering CPR. The beat of any of several songs including “Stayin’ Alive,” by the Bee Gees, “Crazy in Love,” by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z, “Hips Don’t Lie,” by Shakira” or “Walk the Line,” by Johnny Cash can “Be the Beat” to save a life. 

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About Go Red for Women® 
The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. For 19 years, Go Red for Women has encouraged awareness. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them tools they need to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedforWomen.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721).  

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.orgFacebookTwitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

For Media Inquiries:
Brianne Ballard, Communications Director| brianne.ballard@heart.org
heart.org and stroke.org