Millions of People in England and Wales Risk Dying from Cardiac Arrest Due to Lack of Access to Defibrillators A staggering new study has revealed that over 16 million people in England and Wales live more than a 1km round trip from the nearest 24/7 accessible defibrillator, putting their lives at risk in the event of a cardiac arrest. The research, conducted by the Heart Restart campaign, found that a staggering 35 million people - over half the population - do not live within a three- to five-minute brisk walk of a publicly available defibrillator. This alarming statistic comes as the UK sees over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year, with a disturbingly low survival rate of less than one in 10. However, early CPR and defibrillation can significantly increase the chances of survival, highlighting the urgent need for improved access to life-saving devices.
Exclusive: Research shows millions live more than a 1km round trip from 24/7 accessible deviceMore than 16 million people in England and Wales risk dying from a cardiac arrest because they live farther than a 1km round trip from the nearest 24/7 defibrillator, according to exclusive research. Analysis of publicly available defibrillators by the Heart Restart campaign found that in England and Wales alone, 35 million people – more than half the population – do not live within the recommended three- to five-minute brisk walk of a defibrillator. Of these, about half live more than a 1km round trip from a 24/7 accessible defibrillator.There are more than 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year in the UK, but fewer than one in 10 people survive. However, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation can more than double the chance of survival. Continue reading...
