FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ann-Marie White
Heart Rhythm Society
(202) 464-3476
awhite@hrsonline.org

The Heart Rhythm Society applauds the introduction of Senate Resolution 530 by Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), which calls for a “National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Week” during the week of October 5 and additional awareness programs for Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), a leading cause of death in the United States.

“The introduction of this legislation begins to address and remedy the lack of understanding around sudden cardiac arrest,” said Dr. Bruce Lindsay, President of the Heart Rhythm Society. “The Heart Rhythm Society thanks Senators Crapo and Dorgan for their exemplary leadership efforts and will work with them to support passing of this important legislation that will help improve national cardiovascular health.”

SCA claims more than 250,000 lives per year and affects people of all ages and races. Currently, only 5% of those who experience sudden cardiac arrest survive. The chance of survival decreases by about 10 percent for every minute that a defibrillation shock from an automatic external defibrillators (AED) is not received. Treatments, such as Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (ICDs), are 98% effective at protecting those at risk for SCA.

“The number of lives lost to sudden cardiac arrest each year is greater than the number of annual deaths from breast cancer, lung cancer, stroke or AIDS,” adds Lindsay. “Public education, accompanied by more research and wider access to life-saving treatments will help not only increase awareness but also save lives.”