Today marks Restart a Heart Day, an annual event observed on October 16, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This initiative, which began in 2013, is coordinated by the European Resuscitation Council and has expanded to Australia and New Zealand through the Council of Ambulance Authorities.
The campaign seeks to educate the public on how to respond effectively to cardiac arrests, a critical skill given that approximately 30,000 people in Australia and New Zealand experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year. Currently, only 1 in 10 of these patients survive, highlighting the need for improved public training in CPR.
Dr. Mohammad Adnan Bani Baker, a medical doctor at Prince Hamza Hospital in Amman, Jordan, emphasized the significance of this day.
Young Middle Eastern women who are obese or overweight face a greater risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and related issues like hypertension and Type 2 diabetes,” he stated.
The Restart a Heart campaign aims to enhance survival rates by encouraging immediate CPR and defibrillation. Research indicates that timely CPR can double or even triple a person’s chances of survival after a cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, many bystanders hesitate to act; surveys show that about 70% of people lack confidence in their ability to perform CPR.
To combat this, the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative aims to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030. The program encourages individuals to learn hands-only CPR, which involves just two steps: calling emergency services and pushing hard and fast on the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute.
Connie Schneider, an American Heart Association Certified CPR Instructor, urges everyone to learn CPR. She shared a personal story about her nephew, who survived sudden cardiac arrest thanks to someone trained in CPR. “Make this day a commitment to know what to do,” she said. “Learn hands-only CPR as a team with your family or colleagues.”
Organizations around the world are participating in Restart a Heart Day by teaching life-saving skills and promoting awareness about the importance of immediate action during cardiac emergencies. With increased training and public engagement, the hope is to improve survival rates and empower communities to respond effectively when lives are on the line.
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