In an effort to transform bystanders into lifesavers, the American Heart Association hosted a webinar on Friday, Dec. 13, spotlighting the critical importance of CPR and AEDs. The event brought together local experts and community members to address disparities in cardiac arrest survival rates and to inspire action.
The webinar, locally sponsored by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, featured Dr. Kemar Brown, a heart failure cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, who shared his personal and professional commitment to CPR education. Drawing from his own experience, including a colleague’s survival of a cardiac arrest due to swift CPR intervention, Dr. Brown underscored the urgency of equipping more people with the knowledge to act during emergencies.
“Seventy percent of cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals, and survival rates are as low as one in ten,” Dr. Brown said. “With bystander CPR, those numbers can improve dramatically, but awareness and confidence are critical.”
The session also highlighted inequities in health outcomes across Boston. Dr. Brown discussed how neighborhoods like Roxbury, Mattapan, and East Boston face disproportionate risks due to limited access to emergency medical services and higher rates of underlying conditions like hypertension and diabetes. These areas, he noted, are focal points for American Heart Association initiatives aimed at reducing disparities through education and outreach.
A key takeaway from the webinar was the simplicity and effectiveness of hands-only CPR, which eliminates the need for rescue breaths and focuses solely on chest compressions at a rhythm of 100–120 beats per minute. Songs like “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees and “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé were suggested as helpful cues for maintaining the correct tempo. A video demonstration emphasized proper hand placement, the importance of using AEDs, and the need for unhesitating action.
The event concluded with a call to action: one person in every household trained in CPR could help double survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by 2030. Attendees were provided with resources to continue their training, including information on certification programs and local training centers.
Watch a recording of the webinar below. For more information on CPR training or to access the webinar resources, visit heart.org/nation.