In-Depth Studies and Research

National Public Survey

In late February 2007, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Coalition conducted a national public survey of likely voters, which demonstrated that a critical mass of Americans are concerned about the threat of SCA to their families, the lack of awareness of warning signs, risk factors, and treatment options, and the need for more research on sudden cardiac arrest.

The following is a summary of the national survey results:

Lack of Awareness Of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Voters nationwide misunderstand Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) – what it is and how it differs from a heart attack.
When asked what issue or action they most associate with SCA – 26.6 percent say they don't know and 17.1 percent say it's a heart attack; while only 4.6 percent name that it is a heart stop or arrhythmia.
57.5 percent believe SCA is the same as having a heart attack.
45.5 percent believe SCA occurs when the heart is blocked from working, while 43.1percent know it is when the heart stops working abruptly.
Even with that misunderstanding, SCA is so frightening to them, that almost all of them believe - 93.5 percent of voters – it is important to raise awareness of SCA.

Public Demand For Federal Funding for Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Voters nationwide are overwhelmingly supportive of additional federal funding to help pay for increased Sudden Cardiac Arrest research, educational activities and treatments (77.1 percent favor). Specifically, 88.9 percent favor widespread distribution of automated external defibrillators, 88.4 percent favor funding for a public awareness campaign on the issue and 85.4 percent favor funding for cardiac risk assessment exams for all new Medicare recipients.
The majority of voters (51.4 percent) believe there is too little funding being dedicated to the issue today. This perceived dearth of current funding is driving demand for action.
Personal anxiety is another key factor affecting voter support for increased federal funding. Approximately 74 percent of voters said they were concerned that they or a family member could have a Sudden Cardiac Arrest within the next five years. Among those who said they were concerned, 82.9 percent said they favor increasing Sudden Cardiac Arrest funding.
Support for increased federal funding is strong across all various segments of the population:

By Gender:

Women favor increasing federal funding for SCA - 81.3 percent
Men favor increasing federal funding for SCA - 72.7 percent

By Race:

Hispanics favor increasing federal funding for SCA - 81.5 percent
African-Americans favor increasing federal funding for SCA - 96.1percent
Caucasians favor increasing federal funding for SCA - 75.9 percent

By Age:

People over 75, favor increasing federal funding for SCA - 82.9 percent
Over 65, increasing federal funding for SCA - 80.9 percent
Over 55, increasing federal funding for SCA - 79.1 percent
55 and under, increasing federal funding for SCA - 76.9 percent

By Income:

Incomes over $100k, favor increasing federal funding for SCA - 74.3 percent
Over $50K, favor increasing federal funding for SCA - 78.5 percent
Under $50K, favor increasing federal funding for SCA - 81.3 percent
Under $15K, favor increasing federal funding for SCA - 90.0 percent

Mercury Public Affairs conducted a survey of 800 likely voters nationwide on February 26, 2007. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 3.46 percent at a 95 percent confidence interval.