Is Europe Heart Safe?

No one is immune to cardiac arrest and it strikes at any time with no warning.

Many locations across the continent are without a defibrillator and European statistics prove the continent is in need of more.

European Facts

In the UK alone 270 children die every year after suffering a cardiac arrest whilst at school. A further 12 fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions every week.

Approximately 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK occur at home, the remaining 20% occur in public places. Unlike a fire extinguisher or first aid kit, there is currently no legal obligation to install a defibrillator. Only 22% of people in the UK feel confident in performing CPR on a stranger, providing a lower chance of survival than other countries in Europe.

The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) reports cardiac arrest is responsible for 20% of all deaths in Europe.

Published in 2016, the EuReCa ONE study aimed to determine the incidence, process and outcome for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests throughout Europe. This international, prospective multi-centre study lasted for one month; patients who suffered a cardiac arrest during October 2014 who were attended to and treated by the emergency services were eligible for inclusion on the study. National, regional and local registries provided the data.

This investigation resulted in data on 10,682 confirmed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from 248 regions in 27 countries, covering an estimated population of 174 million. In 7,146 (66%) cases, CPR was delivered by a bystander or a member of the Emergency services. 1,735 had ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) on hospital arrival. Overall 662/6414 (10.3%) in all cases with CPR attempted, survived for a minimum of 30 days or until complete hospital discharge.

This investigation and statistics highlight cardiac arrests are still a major health issue, accounting for a substantial number of deaths across the continent.

Changing the Continent

Currently, CPR training and learning how to use a defibrillator is not present on the UK’s National Curriculum. Plans have been confirmed to add this training to the curriculum to help tackle the current statistics with the hopes of emulating other European countries survival increases.

This advance has already taken place in Scandinavian countries, including Denmark and Sweden. Danish 11-year-olds began mandatory CPR training in school in 2005, by 2011, bystander CPR doubled and out out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival tripled.

There are 10,000 cardiac arrests in Sweden every year. They invested so much into their healthcare system, twice as many people survive than they did 20 years ago.

Changing European Standards

Creating a healthier and more heart safe Europe is achievable with simple changes and teaching the next generation life-saving skills from an early age leads to a generation of life savers.

Help make the continent heart safe by investing in a defibrillator and learn how to save a life with a training course.

defibshop are committed to equipping everyone with the skills and knowledge to save a life. Speak to one of our Product Specialists on 0161 776 7422 or fill out our Contact Form.

Image by Mabel Amber from Pixabay.