Moving the Needle on Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival: A National Call to Action as CPR Turns 50!
In a powerful demonstration of collective standing in the healthcare community, more than 40 organizations gathered on Capitol Hill to issue a call to action in reducing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) deaths.
The briefing was organized by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition (SCAC) and held at the Rayburn House Office Building on the 50th anniversary of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). October is National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month.
While CPR can double the chance of surviving SCA, only one in four victims of sudden cardiac arrest receive CPR from a bystander. A need for further awareness was the basis for the gathering, in which a call to action was issued for people of all ages to learn how to recognize sudden cardiac arrest, learn CPR, and get familiar with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Attendees of the briefing also participated in a CPR demonstration.
The more than 40 organizations at the briefing, titled “Moving the Needle on Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival: A National Call to Action as CPR Turns 50,” specifically asked members of Congress to commit to three agenda items:
- Join the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition and raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
- Work to assure all high school graduates are trained in CPR and AED life-saving skills.
- Fund research allowing scientists to chart a course for better SCA survival outcomes that includes consistent, accurate data collection across the country.
