The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and developments in sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.

Deployment of Automated External Defibrillators by a Supermarket Chain

A new study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine looked at what happens when automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are placed in everyday places—specifically, a large supermarket chain operating more than 1,300 stores across multiple states. Employees of each store's respective internal departments were trained in CPR and AED… Read More

ZOLL Survey Highlights Public Confidence and Gaps in Cardiac Emergency Response

A survey was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of ZOLL Medical from May 27–29, 2025, among 2,095 adults ages 18+.Comparative 2024 data is drawn from a similar Harris Poll conducted May 2–6, 2024, among 2,046 adults ages 18+. For both surveys, results are accurate to within ±2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence… Read More

Both Early and Advanced CKD Elevate Risks for Sudden Cardiac Death, Atrial Fibrillation

Patients living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face a higher likelihood of serious cardiac complications, including sudden cardiac death and atrial fibrillation (AF), according to Renal & Urology News.  These risks occur even before patients progress to end-stage renal disease. Research shows that CKD is independently associated with a… Read More

Features and circumstances of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests caught on camera: an analysis of publicly available online videos

A study published in Resuscitation analyzed publicly available videos of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) to better understand how these events unfold in real-world settings. By examining recordings of cardiac arrests, the researchers captured details often missing from traditional registries, including the immediate circumstances, bystander… Read More

Heather Freligh Named SCAF’s First Youth Ambassador

We are thrilled to welcome Heather Freligh as the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation’s first Youth Ambassador. Heather is a sudden cardiac arrest survivor, student-athlete, and passionate youth advocate. At age 13, she experienced sudden cardiac arrest in her classroom and survived thanks to the quick actions of her classmates, school principal, … Read More

From youth leagues to pros: AEDs play a vital role in safeguarding athletes of all ages

In the fast-paced world of sports, where victories and challenges unfold on the field, athletes face a silent and unpredictable adversary—sudden cardiac arrest. This life-threatening condition knows no age or athletic level, impacting young individuals engaged in youth sports to professionals performing at their peak. Automated external… Read More

Blood biomarkers for the prediction of outcome after cardiac arrest: an international prospective observational study within the Targeted Hypothermia versus Normothermia after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (TTM2) trial

A large multi-center study in Europe led by researchers at Lund University found that a blood biomarker called neurofilament light (NFL) may offer a much clearer and earlier way to identify potential brain injury post-cardiac arrest than the tools doctors currently rely on. NFL is a protein found inside nerve fibers in the brain. When the brain… Read More

Study reveals the hidden toll of sudden cardiac death in type 1 and type 2 diabetes

A recent Danish nationwide study found that people with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at a higher risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) than the general population—3.7 times higher for T1D and 6.5 times higher for T2D. Sudden cardiac death can strike unexpectedly—even in those without known heart disease. The study found that SCD is a… Read More

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation Attends CASSummit - 2025 Highlights

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation was honored to participate in the Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit (CASSummit), hosted by the Citizen CPR Foundation. It was an educational and inspiring event! Below are some highlights:  The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation hosted an exhibitor booth. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with so… Read More

Stephen Theall Receives 2025 People Saving People Award

Stephen Theall has been named winner of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation’s 2025 “People Saving People Award” for helping save the life of Heather Freligh on September 22, 2023. The announcement and award presentation took place at the Citizen CPR Foundation’s Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit in Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose of the award is to… Read More