cpr

Local Health Care Operations VP to lead 2026 Heart Walk and citywide push for CPR readiness

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Karas joins the American Heart Association to bring Heart Walk back to Buffalo According to the American Heart Association, 9 in 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, and more than half don’t receive bystander CPR. CPR — especially if performed immediately — can double or triple a person’s chance of … Read more

GBH show spotlights efforts to expand CPR and AED access in Massachusetts

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Under the radar GBH news

The American Heart Association’s push to expand CPR education and improve access to lifesaving AEDs across Massachusetts was in the spotlight recently on Under the Radar with Callie Crossley, GBH’s weekly radio show and podcast focused on issues shaping life in Massachusetts. Listen to the segment here. American Heart Association volunteer and Mass General Brigham cardiologist … Read more

Boston TV spot highlights effort to teach CPR and save lives during American Heart Month

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The American Heart Association’s mission to build a Nation of Lifesavers through CPR education is reaching living rooms across Massachusetts this month, thanks to a new public service announcement airing throughout February on WCVB Channel 5 Boston. The television spot — running during American Heart Month — features Jessica Brown, WCVB’s NewsCenter 5 anchor, medical … Read more

Massachusetts student EMT calls for CPR training requirement in new Op-Ed

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American Heart Association volunteer advocate Nayan Sapers (left) poses with U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo, of Rhode Island, during a recent visit to Washington, D.C.

An American Heart Association volunteer is helping shine a light on a major gap in lifesaving education across Massachusetts and making the case for why every high school student should graduate knowing CPR.  Nayan Sapers, a senior at Harvard University and an EMT with Harvard’s Emergency Medical Services, has been working with the American Heart … Read more

American Heart Association shares CPR, heart health message on Boston Bruins pregame show

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Before Thursday night’s 4–2 Bruins win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, the American Heart Association shared an important message with NESN viewers: learning CPR can save lives. Dr. Jennifer Cluett, the president of the American Heart Association’s Board of Directors in Boston, joined NESN’s Sophia Jurksztowicz to discuss Hands-Only CPR, high blood pressure control, and … Read more

Back by popular demand: Community CPR Day

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MVP Health Care and Albany County, through the Innovation Partnership, once again make American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR training available to community Since the American Heart Association began its Nation of Lifesavers campaign to train people in Hands-Only CPR, more than 17 million people have learned this lifesaving skill. “Knowing Hands-Only CPR can mean the … Read more

Sudden cardiac arrest survivor takes center court at 2026 MEAC Basketball Tournament

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From lifesaving education to powerful moments of recognition, the American Heart Association continues to uplift HBCU communities across Hampton Roads By Alana Coleman, American Heart Association Hampton Roads Marketing Communications Intern Basketball tournaments are full of powerful and exciting moments. One of those came during the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Basketball Tournament, during Badge of … Read more

Four generations of women’s stories converge around heart health

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This year, when Stacy Yentz of Peraton joined her team for the Heart Walk, the mission behind the event was more personal to her than she could have ever imagined. Last November, Stacy’s mother, Gerri, was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). What initially seemed like a manageable diagnosis escalated quickly. Just two weeks later, Gerri … Read more

Heartfelt supporters cross the $2.1 million finish line for the Greater Washington Region Heart Walk

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Thousands of walkers returned to D.C.’s National Mall for the 2025 Heart Walk WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov 17, 2025 – Around 10,000 walkers gathered on the National Mall for the 2025 Greater Washington Region Heart Walk, raising more than $2.1 million for the fight against heart disease and stroke. These 579 teams, 90 companies and thousands … Read more

More than 300 Wyomissing students learn to save a life using Hands-Only CPR

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Individuals pose for photo with donated CPR kit.

CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. However, 70% of respondents in a recent consumer survey said they were not confident they would respond with CPR in a cardiac emergency. With the goal of changing this statistic, the American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation … Read more

Meet Jeff “Coldstream” Roth: runner, survivor, local executive – and recovery myth buster 

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At a May 2019 ceremony, Jeff had a chance to thank the first responders who saved his life

Seven years ago, local executive Jeff Roth survived a near-death experience during a workday run. In the days after, he and his family pieced together what happened. In the years since, he’s been rewriting the story of what recovery really looks like.  Jeff, now director of games at Booz Allen Hamilton, was on a routine … Read more

Commanders players urge fans to join Nation of Lifesavers, learn lifesaving CPR

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The American Heart Association and NFL team up to boost CPR readiness on World Restart a Heart Day WASHINGTON, DC, October 16, 2025 —To boost awareness of CPR, the American Heart Association and NFL (National Football League) are unveiling the 2025 Nation of Lifesavers™ Player Ambassador Class on World Restart a Heart Day, which takes … Read more

October 16, 2025 declared “Restart a Heart Day” in Washington, D.C. 

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Mayor Muriel Bowser has proclaimed October 16, 2025, as “World Restart a Heart Day” in the District of Columbia.   More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States, with up to 23,000 of those happening to people under 18 years old. In D.C. alone, nearly 1,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital … Read more

Taking CPR awareness to the turf in Buffalo

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The American Heart Association and the Buffalo Bills celebrate Heartsaver Heroes and teach fans about CPR Fans attending the Buffalo Bills vs. the Miami Dolphins National Football League (NFL) game at Highmark Stadium had the chance to join the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ through an immersive cardiopulmonary resuscitation experience (CPR), part of the … Read more

Saving lives through CPR education in Central New York

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FamilyCare Medical Group and the American Heart Association provide Hands-Only CPR training equipment to community organizations With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important[1]. CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival[2]. … Read more

Why every organization needs a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan 

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When sudden cardiac arrest strikes, every second counts. Yet, only about 40% of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive the immediate help they need before professional responders arrive. The survival rate drops by 10% every minute without CPR or use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). That’s why the American Heart Association is … Read more

2025 CPR & AED rally unites hearts in DC 

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(L) Survivors and advocates stand in front of the Capitol with their march signs, (middle) Survivor Dr. Delya Sommerville was one of the advocates participating in the rally, (R) Survivors and advocates march from the Washington Monument to the U.S. Capitol  From June 5 to 7, 2025, heart health advocates from across the country gathered … Read more

Husband-and-Wife Team Takes the Helm to Save Lives in Southern Delaware 

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Ben and Sarah Collins

Ben Collins and Sarah Neely-Collins Mobilize Southern Delaware’s Corporate Leaders to Build a Community of Lifesavers as Co-Chairs of the American Heart Association Heart Walk  Dover, DE, March 4, 2025 — Ben Collins, senior director of operations for Bayhealth’s Cardiovascular Service Line, and Sarah Neely-Collins, oncology nurse practitioner at Bayhealth, are joining forces not just … Read more

CPR training tools to provide life-saving skills to Susquehanna Township School District students

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CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival[1]. However, 70% of respondents in a recent consumer survey said they were not confident they would respond with CPR in a cardiac emergency. That is why the American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and education, along … Read more

Life-saving training tools now in the hands of Bermudian Springs Middle School students

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CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival[1]. However, 70% of respondents in a recent consumer survey said they were not confident they would respond with CPR in a cardiac emergency. That is why the American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and education, along … Read more

Dr. Richard L. Snyder of Independence Blue Cross is a champion for training a Nation of Lifesavers through CPR and AED awareness

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June 1-7 each year is National CPR Awareness Week, spotlighting how lives can be saved if more Americans know CPR.  Dr. Richard L. Snyder, Executive Vice President of Facilitated Health Networks for Independence Blue Cross, has been a long-time champion and advocate of CPR & AED awareness, leading a citywide initiative, CPR Ready Coalition, in … Read more

Dr. Richard Snyder of Independence Blue Cross Receives Regional Award from American Heart Association

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On February 8, 2023, local leaders come together to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Richard Snyder at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine’s CPR Kiosk. Dr. Snyder received the Leadership Legacy Award from the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Region, an award given to only a select few. Dr. Snyder has volunteered with the Association for many years, including being the Philadelphia region’s board chair. He has always been passionate about CPR, raising awareness and teaching those in the Philadelphia region Hands-Only CPR.

Why It Matters: Each year more than 350,000 people suffer out of hospital cardiac arrest, only 10% of those people survive. Dr. Snyder has played an integral role in helping to improve those odds by helping to create the CPR Ready Coalition in Philadelphia. This coalition was created in 2016 with a goal of increasing the number of people who are trained and willing to perform hands-only CPR. This coalition is comprised of: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, CPR/AED Public Awareness and Training Network, The Health Care Improvement Foundation, Independence Blue Cross, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia Fire Department, and the School District of Philadelphia.

Dr. Snyder was also instrumental in bringing the first CPR Kiosk to the Philadelphia Region, at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, where people can learn CPR at their own pace, and beready to help someone in crisis.

“Hands-Only CPR is a powerful tool that takes only 60 seconds to learn and can double or even triple a victim’s chances of survival. said Richard Snyder, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer at Independence Blue Cross.

Kevin Mahoney, CEO University of Pennsylvania Health System, was on hand to help present the award to Dr. Snyder, along with the Fire Commissioner of Philadephia, AdamThiel, Gregory Deavons, CEO of Independence Blue Cross  and Jennifer Litchman-Green, Executive Director of the American Heart Association of Philadelphia, all of whom shared the same sentiment, that Dr. Snyder always puts the patients and the community at large first.

 

Damar Hamlin’s Inspiring Recovery: CPR Saves Lives 

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While playing in the Buffalo Bills – Cincinnati Bengals game on Monday Night Football on January 2, Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after a hit and was administered CPR on the field before being transferred to an area hospital.

Hamlin reportedly experienced a cardiac arrest – when the heart stops abruptly with little or no warning. Early recognition of cardiac arrest improves the person’s chance of survival and is key to starting the correct care of CPR and the appropriate use of defibrillation to restart the heart. The on-site medical team evaluated the situation and appeared to quickly remove his safety pads, begin CPR and apply the automated external defibrillator (AED).  

CPR can help keep the heart pumping and blood flowing to vital organs until an electrical shock from a defibrillator is available to restore the heart to a normal heart rhythm. Then the patient can be safely moved for further medical treatment, supportive care, testing to determine what the cause of the arrest may have been and recovery, including both physical and mental health resources for the person and their family.

Possible causes

Cardiac arrest can have several causes. Since Hamlin collapsed immediately following a tackle on the play, one potential cause could be commotio cordis. Commotio cordis is a rare phenomenon from a sudden blunt impact to the chest causing sudden death in the absence of apparent cardiac damage. The blow to the chest at precisely the wrong time in the cardiac cycle causes an electrical abnormality in the heart resulting in  an irregular heart rhythm that cannot pump blood to the body.  Immediate CPR and a shock to reset the rhythm can help the heartbeat return to normal function.

Another cause of cardiac arrest that additional tests are likely to attempt to detect or rule out is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or a thickened heart muscle – a more common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people and athletes specifically. The thickened heart can be due to a genetic condition or can be caused by athletic conditioning that thickens the muscles of the heart and can make it more susceptible to an irregular heart rhythm like ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia.

“This was traumatic for everyone, especially Hamlin’s family and teammates but also for so many others involved and witnessing the event. More than 70% of cardiac arrests that do not happen in the hospital, occur in a home where access to medical professionals and an AED is not as readily available,” said Mariell Jessup, M.D., FAHA, chief science and medical officer of the American Heart Association. “Recognizing a cardiac arrest, calling 911 immediately, performing CPR and using an AED as soon as it is available are critical for survival.

Statistically speaking, it is likely that the person will need to be helped by a family member or a friend to survive.”

Having community members trained in CPR and AEDs in public spaces can increase the chances of survival. The rate of bystander CPR in North America is estimated at only 39-44%, and only about 1 in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Improving the rate of bystander CPR is critical to increasing survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

The skill to perform CPR and use a defibrillator are the foundational components of preparing laypeople to respond to cardiac arrest. People also need to feel emotionally prepared to respond and be able to cope with the aftermath of performing CPR.

Resources for learning CPR

Each year in the United States, an estimated 350,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest in the community. Anyone who witnesses a cardiac arrest in the community (i.e., not in a hospital) can perform CPR. Roughly 70% of cardiac arrests that do not happen in the hospital, occur in homes and private residences, therefore, a friend or family member is mostly likely to be the person who needs to take action. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double, or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

For adults and adolescent children, Hands-Only CPR is an easy-to-learn skill that requires only two steps: call emergency services and push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute.

For more information, visit heart.org

 

American Heart Association, Barley Snyder donate CPR training kit to Lancaster County school

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The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, recently donated a CPR in Schools training kit to Conestoga Valley High School. The donation was made possible with support from Barley Snyder, as part of the law firm’s sponsorship of the Lancaster Heart Ball. “Being able to … Read more

Emergency Telecommunications Centers Are a Vital Part of a Lifesaving System

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Each year an estimated 350,000 sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) events occur in the United States in an out-of-hospital environment. In 2020, D.C. Fire and EMS reported 964 SCAs in D.C. with only a 4.7% survival rate. An SCA occurs when the heart’s electrical system abruptly malfunctions, and the heart suddenly stops beating normally. It can … Read more

Telegram & Gazette: Massachusetts dispatchers to receive CPR training under proposed state bill

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A single piece of legislation, if passed, could save as many as 500 lives a year in Massachusetts, according to a UMass Memorial Medical Center doctor, reports the Telegram & Gazette in a story published on Tuesday. The Worcester-based newspaper interviewed Dr. Joseph Sabato, an emergency medicine physician and American Heart Association volunteer, who argued … Read more

CPR Saves Lives – Charlie’s Story

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April 3, 2019 began like any other day for Charlie Nordhoff. Little did he know that his life would change forever and he would be saved through CPR, thanks to the quick, life-saving actions of his colleagues. Charlie did not recognize that he was having a heart attack, nor did he recognize any symptoms of … Read more

UMass doctor champions telephone CPR bill in Commonwealth Magazine op-ed

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Commonwealth Magazine published an op-ed by Dr. Joseph Sabato Jr. this week urging the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a bill requiring 911 operators to be trained in how to deliver CPR instructions over the phone. The legislation, which is supported by the American Heart Association, could improve the outcomes of people who experience cardiac arrest … Read more

Santa Visits CPR Kiosk at BWI Airport to Teach LifeSaving Skill

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Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is home to an American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR training kiosk, providing millions of passengers the opportunity to learn lifesaving Hands-Only CPR in about five minutes. The interactive kiosk, supported by the Amerigroup Foundation,  was visted by Santa and two of his helpers from the North Pole on Friday, … Read more

Teen who saved classmate wants CPR training required for all Mass. students

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Massachusetts is one of just a handful of states that doesn’t require CPR training as a high school graduation requirement. This story from CBS Boston investigative producer Elsie Nolan is another reminder of why every student should be taught this lifesaving skill. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a leading cause of death in the US — … Read more