More Americans than ever now say they are willing to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of an emergency, according to newly released survey data from the American Heart Association. Thanks in part to the recent efforts of the Association and others, the percentage of surveyed adults in the U.S.
who say they now feel they have the confidence to perform CPR has increased from 30% to 35%. But scientific data still indicates that fewer than half of all people experiencing cardiac arrest outside of a hospital receive CPR before emergency services arrive. "There are certain medical emergencies where a moment cannot be wasted and sudden cardiac arrest is one of them," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association.
"At the American Heart Association, we've moved the needle towards willingness to perform CPR over the past two years—and that is powerful. But there is so much more to do; we have a goal of doubling survival from cardiac arrest by building a nation of lifesavers who are confident and able to act when the time comes." To improve the chances of everyone, everywhere surviving a cardiac arrest, the Association launched its Nation of Lifesavers movement a year ago during National CPR and AED Awareness Week (June 1–7).
This year, which marks a century of lifesaving service for the American Heart Association, the organization is offering education and activities that can turn a nation of bystanders into a nation of lifesave.
