Updated June 10, 2010
| The Society's SCA Awareness Campaign provides resources to launch an ongoing conversation with patients about SCA risks and treatment options: CPR is one of the most basic life-saving skills. However, a multi-national attitudinal survey reveals there is a discrepancy between perception and reality when it comes to CPR knowledge and skill level. Learn more about the results of this study, conducted by Ipsos and the CPR Improvement Working Group. |
More than 250,000 deaths occur each year as a result of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). In fact, SCA claims one life every two minutes, taking more lives each year than breast cancer, lung cancer or AIDS. Yet, according to a survey issued by the Heart Rhythm Society, more than 70 percent of Americans not only underestimate the seriousness of SCA, but also believe SCA is a type of heart attack.
The Heart Rhythm Society kicked-off National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month October 1, 2009 and launched a multi-year campaign to call attention to the need for more public education on this very serious heart health issue. [Click for a large view of the campaign poster]
In preparation for October’s SCA Awareness Month, order complimentary in-clinic resources, which will be delivered this summer:
- Apples and Oranges In-Clinic Poster
- Ejection Fraction Tracker
- SCA Patient Brochure
In a 2009 newspaper article, one of many published to commemorate National SCA Awareness Month, Heart Rhythm Society President Richard L. Page, MD, FHRS stressed how essential it is for the public to take the initiative to use available Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) if they are available at the scene of a SCA. “The community doesn’t truly recognize the importance of AEDs. The AED may not save everyone and even if it’s been awhile since you were trained, you should roll up your sleeves and apply the AED if you witness a cardiac arrest. That’s how you save a life.” Dr. Page also highlighted recent changes in the administration of CPR that make it easier and still effective. “CPR is simpler than it ever was! You now basically push hard and push fast. You don’t need to do the respirations anymore. For lay responders, just do the CPR.”
To decrease the death toll from SCA, it is important for the U.S. public to understand what SCA is, what the symptoms and warning signs are and how to respond and prevent SCA from occurring. The Society's “Apples and Oranges” campaign is designed to educate people about the difference between a heart attack and SCA. The campaign targets heart attack survivors, who are at the highest risk for SCA, and stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy heart lifestyle and learning critical risk markers, especially their Ejection Fraction (EF). Order and download complimentary SCA Awareness Campaign Provider Resources »
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| The SCA Awareness Campaign is part of the Heart Rhythm Society's SCA 360° Initiative. |
“SCA Awareness Month represents a critical initiative by the Heart Rhythm Society to raise awareness for SCA and help the public become more familiar with what it is, how it affects people and what can be done to help save lives,” said Dr. Page. “The Heart Rhythm Society is committed to a long-term approach to educating the public and ultimately decreasing the number of lives claimed by SCA each year.” Download 2010 letter (PDF, 460K)
National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month is an annual observance designated by the U.S. Congress in 2008 thanks to the efforts of the Heart Rhythm Society, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition, physicians, allied professionals, patients and caregivers.
The SCA Awareness Campaign is supported by
St. Jude Medical and Medtronic. |
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