CPR saved 100-plus heart attack victims last year

More than a hundred people survived a heart attack last year because someone witnessing the event started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), figures show.

The Irish Heart Foundation says the figures from the Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Register proves that more lives can be saved when people perform CPR.

Last year 67% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurred at home and most happened in front of a relative.

In 64% of cases, CPR was started by someone who witnessed the attack and 118 people survived.

Figures from the register also show that the out-of-hospital survival rate from cardiac arrest increased from 5.2% in 2012 to 6.3% in 2013.

The national heart charity is launching a hands-only CPR video today —– Restart a Heart Day — to increase survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest.

The sudden and often fatal condition claims an estimated 13 lives in Ireland every day. All ages are affected, including babies, children and young people.

However, starting hands-only CPR promptly can double a person’s chance of survival by keeping blood and oxygen circulating in vital organs.

Hands-only CPR is a technique that can be applied by anyone without CPR training to keep a person alive.

Cardiologist and medical director of the foundation, Dr Angie Brown, said they were on a mission to double Ireland’s survival rate from cardiac arrest.

“The nature of a cardiac arrest is sudden and without warning and when it happens there isn’t a moment to lose in calling 999 and starting chest compressions immediately.”

Dr Brown said the chance of survival fell by up to 10% every minute without hands-only CPR or defibrillation.

“After five minutes they may only have a 50% chance of survival.”

This Restart a Heart Day the Irish Heart Foundation’s message to everyone is not to be afraid to attempt hands-only CPR.

The new Irish Heart Foundation Hands Only CPR video is available on irishheart.ie/restartaheart.