Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular Disease is the Number 1 killer of adults in the United States, responsible for about 960,000 deaths annually. Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives than the next seven leading causes of death combined, including cancer, accidents, influenza and pneumonia, and diabetes.
One in five Americans has some form of cardiovascular disease.
The cost of cardiovascular diseases in 2002 is estimated to be $329.2 billion in direct costs, such as hospital visits and indirect costs such as lost productivity.
Sudden Cardiac Arrests
Sudden cardiac arrest (caused by ventricular fibrillation) suffered in settings outside the hospital is responsible for about 250,000 adult deaths annually in the United States. Each day more than 680 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest is most often caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called centricular fibrillation (VF). VF usually results from cardiovascular disease but may also result from electrocution or near-drowning.
When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the victim collapses, becomes unresponsive to gentle shaking, stops normal breathing and has no signs of circulation such as normal breathing, coughing, or movement.
About 95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
About 74 to 80 percent of all sudden cardiac arrests happen at home; so being trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can mean the difference between life and death for a member of your family.
Survival is directly linked to the amount of time between onset of sudden cardiac arrest and defibrillation. If no bystander CPR is provided, a victim's chances of survival are reduced by 7 to 10 percent with every minute of delay until defibrillation. Few attempts at resuscitation are successful if no treatment is provided within minutes of collapse.
Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double a victim's chance of survival.
Death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable. If more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved.
Defibrillation and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
CPR is not a substitute for defibrilation. CPR helps maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain until defibrillation can be administered.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are safe for trained lay rescuers to treat sudden cardiac arrest. The devices automatically analyze a victim's heart rhythm and only allow an electric shock to be delivered when necessary. AEDs are easy to use, compact, battery operated, lightweight and durable.
The American Heart Association encourages the widespread use of AEDs by trained lay rescuers through community AED programs. Elements of a successful community AED program include the use of FDA-approved equipment, medical supervision of the program, training in CPR and use of the AED, proper maintenance of AED equipment, and coordination with the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system.
For more information visit americanheart.org.
