The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and developments in sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.
Genetic Testing Trifecta Predicts Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death and Arrhythmia
Researchers at Northwestern Medicine have developed a more accurate way to predict the risk of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The approach combines three types of genetic testing: monogenic testing, which looks for rare mutations in a single gene; polygenic testing, which evaluates the combined effect of many common genetic variants; and… Read More
AED Law Updates
Each state in the U.S. has its own laws governing AEDs, with unique requirements and programs. The AED Law Center provides detailed information on state laws, program requirements, Good Samaritan protections, and AED placement mandates. Some new laws require schools to develop and implement a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP). By 2028, this… Read More
Foundation Attends 2025 Resuscitation Science Symposium in New Orleans; Presents Two Posters on SCAF Initiatives
Gina Peattie, MPA, executive director of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, and Mary Newman, MS, SCAF founder/consultant and program manager of the Cardiac Arrest Survivor Alliance (CASA) program, attending the Resuscitation Science Symposium (ReSS), November 8-9 in New Orleans. SCAF hosted an exhibit table, attended educational sessions,… Read More
Quick CPR from lay rescuers can nearly double survival for children after cardiac arrest; SCAF to attend ReSS, where study findings will be presented
New research from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES), soon to be presented at the Resuscitation Science Symposium (ReSS), shows just how critical quick action can be when a child experiences cardiac arrest. Analyzing more than 10,000 pediatric cases, researchers found that when a bystander starts CPR within the first five… Read More
Empowering Bystanders to Save Lives: 10 Tips for Effective CPR Training
Laerdal Medical shares ten practical strategies to enhance bystander CPR training and build confidence in lifesaving skills. From using real-life scenarios and gamified learning to leveraging feedback technology and encouraging repetitive practice, these tips are designed to help instructors create engaging, effective training experiences. The… Read More
2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care
The 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care were published on October 22, 2025. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide best practice recommendations in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. These guidelines are an update to the recommendations… Read More
The Weight of Risk: Epidemiological Trends in Cardiac Arrest Mortality Among Obese Adults in the United States
A Circulation Research abstract found that from 1999 to 2023, cardiac arrest-related mortality among obese U.S.adults increased substantially, rising from 11.3 to 32.5 deaths per million. Men, older adults, Non-Hispanic Blacks, residents of rural areas and the West experienced the highest mortality rates. The study highlights demographic and… Read More
October is SCA Awareness Month!
October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month! The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation (SCAF) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural Ready to Respond: Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Training Week, taking place October 12–18, 2025, during National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. This annual campaign, observed the second full week of… Read More
Neurological outcomes after patients suffer cardiac arrest at home are similar between low-and high-income areas in Vienna
A recent study presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress found that neurological recovery after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) at home is similar between patients living in low- and high-income neighborhoods in Vienna, Austria. The study analyzed data from 676 adult patients treated between January 2020 and December 2022,… Read More