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CPR & Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
Fact Sheet
As of April 26, 2010
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
• EMS treats about 300,000 victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in the U.S.
• Less than eight percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive.
•
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time. Many victims
appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk factors.
•
Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Sudden cardiac
arrest occurs when electrical impulses in the heart become rapid or
chaotic, which causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. A heart attack
occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked. A
heart attack may cause cardiac arrest.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Less than one-third of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.
• Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.
•
The American Heart Association trains more than 12 million people in
CPR annually, including healthcare professionals and the general public.•
The most effective rate for chest compressions is greater than 100
compressions per minute – the same rhythm as the beat of the BeeGee’s
song, “Stayin’ Alive.”
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)• Unless CPR and defibrillation are provided within minutes of collapse, few attempts at resuscitation are successful.
•
Even if CPR is performed, defibrillation with an AED is required to
stop the abnormal rhythm and restore a normal heart rhythm.
• New
technology has made AEDs simple and user-friendly. Clear audio and
visual cues tell users what to do when using an AED and coach people
through CPR. A shock is delivered only if the victim needs it.
• AEDs are now widely available in public places such as schools, airports and workplaces.
Teens/Youth
•
About 5,900 children 18 years old and under suffer out-of-hospital
cardiac arrest each year from all causes – including trauma,
cardiovascular causes and sudden infant death syndrome.
• The
incidence of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest in high school
athletes ranges from .28 to 1 death per 100,000 high school athletes
annually in the U.S.
• The American Heart Association does not have a
minimum age requirement for people to learn CPR. The ability to perform
CPR is based more on body strength rather than age.
• Studies have shown that children as young as 9 years old can learn and retain CPR skills.
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