Restart A Heart Day 2023

Paramedics, heart specialists and volunteers across the East of England have joined together to call on people to learn how to ‘restart a heart’ in the event of cardiac arrest. 

Cardiac arrest – where the heart suddenly stops beating - is the ultimate medical emergency. Survival depends on a chain of events - from prompt first aid to specialist cardiac aftercare.  

The NHS has defined a package of post-cardiac arrest care - called a ‘care bundle’. It addresses the cause of the cardiac arrest, providing the best support for circulation and breathing. It also aims to prevent further neurological damage.  

EAST of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is leading the way in ensuring patients get this wraparound care.  
More than 97%* of our cardiac arrest patients - 20% more than the national average- receive this care package, and we're committed to ensuring every link in the chain of survival is in place.  

EEAST Chief Executive Tom Abell encourages everyone to learn life-saving first-aid skills

Between September 2022 and August this year, EEAST attended 6,318 cardiac arrests.  
Of those where resuscitation was appropriate, 52% (982) survived to hospital handover, and 15% (288) survived to 30 days after resuscitation.   
 
One of the most important factors in survival is prompt action by bystanders while the ambulance crew is on its way.  
Restart A Heart Day - a Resuscitation Council UK initiative – takes place on 16 October with events continuing throughout the month.  
This year, in addition to Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), the campaign is focusing on defibrillation awareness and access to this lifesaving device. 

Recent data reveals that 61% of people aren’t confident enough to use a defibrillator, and research shows that access to one is lacking in the most deprived areas, which are among the communities at greatest risk of a cardiac arrest.  

East of England Ambulance Service’s community first responders have organised free CPR training to give people the opportunity to learn lifesaving skills to increase survival rates.  

Tom Abell, Chief Executive Officer at EEAST said: 

“With 80% of cardiac arrests happening in the home, it is vital that as many people as possible learn this lifesaving skill. It may be a loved one who suffers a cardiac arrest and it’s crucial to start CPR and defibrillation as soon as possible to help their chances of survival. I urge people to learn how to do CPR properly – it may save someone you love. 

“We also want people to take five minutes to find their local publicly available defibrillators, wherever they are, so they can help in the event of an emergency. These are designed to be used by anyone, you don’t need training – it will provide clear instructions and talk you through what to do. Just go to www.defibfinder.uk to find the one closest to you.”  

To find out about opportunities to learn CPR in your area, go to: www.resus.org.uk 

*April 2023