Cardiac arrest survival rates improve | Centre County Gazette

Submitted by Centre LifeLink

CENTER COUNTY – About 350,000 people in the United States experience cardiac arrest or sudden death outside of the hospital each year, according to the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival. But cardiac arrest survival rates in the Center region have continued to improve, according to Center LifeLink's annual Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival report.

Reports indicate that 44% of cardiac arrest victims in the Central Region are discharged from hospital in fair or moderate health. This figure is higher than the national average of 30%. While this is an achievement, Centre LifeLink's Training and Education Department is urging the community to help increase this figure. Education is an important factor in ensuring that this figure continues to improve.

The American Heart Association found that 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest in a year. This number is higher than colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, flu, pneumonia, car accidents, HIV, firearms and house fires combined.

One way to improve this number is to increase community education and awareness about bystander use of AEDs and bystander CPR. When performed promptly, CPR can double or triple the chance of survival after cardiac arrest.

Each month, Centre LifeLink EMS offers comprehensive health and safety training to the public. To register for a course, visit centrelifelink.com/training.