PHOENIX, Jan. 17, 2025 -- During February - American Heart Month - the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, is urging all Phoenix families to learn the lifesaving skill of CPR. More than 350,0000 people experience cardiac arrests outside of a hospital every year. Unfortunately, 90% do not survive.[1] Nearly 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home, so it is likely that the person who needs CPR will be a family member or friend.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest each year. Nearly 40% of those are related to sports, and nearly 20% occur in infants. By calling on the everyday heroes like parents, teachers and coaches who impact the lives of children every day, the Association hopes to create an environment where every child has the best chance of survival in a cardiac emergency.
"The truth is, if you are called to respond in a cardiac emergency, being prepared to step in with CPR may save the life of someone you love, even a child," said Megan Stuff, the 2025 Phoenix Go Red for Women Chair and Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Medical Imaging. "It's up to all of us to make sure that our families, our students and our athletes are safe when it matters most."
Joining the Nation of Lifesavers, an American Heart Association initiative focused on doubling the survival rate of cardiac arrest by 2030, is easier than ever with many CPR learning options available.
In Phoenix, future lifesavers can:
There are three main types of CPR: Traditional, Child and Infant and Hands-Only.
If performed immediately, CPR can double or even triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival. Yet, 65% of Americans say they would be afraid to step in and help in an emergency. The goal of the Association's Nation of Lifesavers initiative is to turn bystanders into lifesavers, so that in the face of a cardiac emergency anyone, anywhere is prepared and empowered to become a vital link in the chain of survival and provide CPR. By 2030, the American Heart Association has pledged to double the cardiac arrest survival rate from just 10% to 20%.
For more information on how to join the Nation of Lifesavers during American Heart Month this February, visit heart.org/nation.
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.