Cardiac Coverage Report 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Cardiac Coverage Report Bitesize Update

As we reflect on Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Awareness Month, this update provides a snapshot of progress since our comprehensive report from earlier in the year. Our mission at defibshop remains focused on improving cardiac safety across the UK by increasing access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in communities.

The 2024 Bitesize Update highlights significant strides:

• A 16.44% increase in the total number of defibrillators across the UK
• A 16.30% rise in AEDs per 10,000 people, underscoring the UK's commitment to heart safety

Sudden Cardiac Arrest DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE. It can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, health, ethnicity or geography. Has your community, business, public access space, sports club got a defibrillator?

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the abrupt loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. The condition usually results from a problem with your heart's electrical system, which disrupts your heart's pumping action and stops blood flow to your body. This results in the individual collapsing, being unresponsive, and not breathing. There are over 60,000 Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests (OHCA) in the UK each year, with around 30,000 resuscitations attempted from an ambulance service. 

Survival is possible with fast, appropriate care. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using a defibrillator (AED) help improve the chances of survival until emergency services arrive but must be administered within 3-5 minutes of collapse.  For every minute that treatment is delayed, survival chances decrease by 10%.  Prompt action is vital.

At defibshop, we're committed to making every environment heart-safe. This year's progress is promising, but sustained action is essential to save even more lives.