Cardiac Coverage Report 22/23

Welcome to the 2022/23 Cardiac Coverage Report

This report follows on from 2021/22 report on the number of registered units per Local Authority.  

This year we are focusing on the survival rates from collapse to hospital discharge in the event of an Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.  Whilst there are many reports looking a survival rates from ambulance intervention to hospital discharge, there are a huge number of cardiac arrests that are not counted in the figures, typically because it is too late to resuscitate at the point of ambulance intervention.

The results are a stark reminder of how important early intervention is. CPR and shock from a defibrillator is the only definite treatment and needs to be started within 3 minutes of collaspse for the best chance of survival. For every minute treatment is delayed survival chances decrease by 10%.  

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.