On World Restart a Heart Day, the American Heart Association is pushing to make lifesaving action a social norm, emphasizing that bystanders are often the first responders in a cardiac arrest emergency. More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States, and about 90% of victims do not survive. Yet a persistent misconception stands in the way: two in three people believe only those with special training should perform CPR, according to an American Heart Association survey.
“Too many people hesitate during a cardiac emergency because they believe lifesaving action should be left to medical professionals,” said Manesh R. Patel, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and chief of cardiology at Duke University School of Medicine. “World Restart a Heart Day is a reminder that parents, neighbors, coworkers, friends and family members are often the first people on the scene.”
The association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative offers four ways for the public to take action. First, learn CPR by watching a short demonstration or taking a CPR course. Research shows children as young as 9 can learn the skill, making it valuable for the whole family. Second, share CPR stories through the Nation of Lifesavers CPR Storytelling Platform; individuals can also Share your own CPR story and apply for the 2027 Nation of Lifesavers Class. Third, advocate for a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (or CERP). a written, practiced plan that outlines how organizations should respond to a cardiac emergency. Fourth, make CPR part of the community culture by sharing resources and volunteering with friends, family and coworkers.
The implications are significant: survival often depends on how quickly bystanders recognize the emergency, call 911, begin CPR and use an automated external defibrillator. The association’s long-term goal is to ensure that anyone, anywhere, is prepared and empowered to perform CPR. Walgreens is a national sponsor of Nation of Lifesavers.
For those seeking more information, the association provides resources such as Bystander CPR and a Bystander CPR Infographic. Additional materials include Hands-Only CPR Resources and a comparison of Hands-Only CPR vs CPR with Breaths. The association also addresses disparities with toolkits available in English and Spanish. To learn more, visit heart.org/nation.
