Each year sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) strikes approximately 340,000 people in the U.S. alone. The majority of these people have no warnings, since they show no prior symptoms. And sadly, fewer that 5% survive, often because emergency medical services cannot reach them in time.
SCA most often occurs when the electrical system of the heart becomes chaotic, causing it to stop beating effectively. Lacking proper blood flow, the person becomes unresponsive, stop breathing, and will die if not promptly treated. CPR is important, but it alone cannot restore a normal heart rhythm. A "shock" from the defibrillator is the most effective way to restore the heart's normal heart rhythm. The patients best chance of survival is to receive a shock within 5 minutes of collapse.
HeartStart Defibrillators enable virtually anyone to treat the most common cause of SCA by delivering a shock quickly and effectively, whenever it happens--providing the power to save a life.
Please take the time to discuss this information with family members, friends and your co-workers!
