MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, Oct. 15, 2024 — Wednesday is World Restart a Heart Day, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and improving survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest.
According to AwarenessDays.com, World Restart a Heart Day was established by the European Resuscitation Council in 2012. The campaign aims to increase public awareness about the importance of early CPR and defibrillation in saving lives.
Since its inception, World Restart a Heart Day has expanded internationally, with countries around the world recognizing the importance of empowering individuals with life-saving skills.
Every year, 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside the hospital, and of those, 90% die, in part because they do not receive CPR more than half the time, according to the American Heart Association, a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival, according to the Association.
“Most people think they can call 911 and everything will be OK,” American Heart Association Certified CPR Instructor Connie Schneider said. “Think about those minutes sitting there with a still body not responding, waiting for EMS to arrive. It feels like it takes forever.
“We want everyone to do all they can versus just sitting there not knowing what to do. If you have two hands, you can save a life, and it only takes seconds to take life-saving action. Everyone deserves a chance, and everyone can learn what to do.”
Seeking to double survival rate
The goal of the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative is to double the survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030 – and to do that, it’s imperative that anyone, anywhere is prepared and empowered to become a vital link in the chain of survival and provide CPR.
Hands-only CPR requires just two steps: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest at 100 to 120 beats per minute. Research shows that people as young as 9 years old can learn hands-only CPR.
“We need to make a movement, a life-saving mission, nominate one another to learn CPR publicly, make it a required annual gym class lesson or requirement when people take their driver’s license test,” Schneider said. “You should know CPR.
“Everyone should know it, but not everyone will take the time to learn it and practice. … learn hands-only and practice it on an annual basis.”
The Nation of Lifesavers initiative also strives to provide people with the confidence to perform CPR during a cardiac event. In one consumer survey, 70% of respondents said they weren’t confident they could perform CPR if needed.
Only about 46% of people who suffer cardiac arrest receive CPR from a bystander, according to the Association, which added that in a 2017 study, it was found that only 39% of women in cardiac arrest received bystander CPR, compared to 45% of men.
That same study showed that men’s odds of surviving were 23% higher than women.
Personal connection
Schneider brings a personal journey into her work as a CPR instructor – her nephew, David Dibble’s life was saved by CPR when he went into sudden cardiac arrest on a Kenosha baseball field in 2018.
Without another coach having that skill, her nephew, who recently became a licensed police officer and is doing well today, most certainly wouldn’t have survived.
“Make this day a commitment to know what to do, make a commitment on this day to learn hand-sonly and do it as a team, a group, a family to learn together,” she said. “Make it a team-bonding event at work or for your organization and celebrate learning it, promoting what you did as a team to take saving hearts seriously and to the next level. Your message may inspire another group to do the same.”
For more, visit Heart.org.
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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 a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments as we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For media inquiries:
Dan Truttschel: dan.truttschel@heart.org