These statistics underscore the importance of CPR training and the need for public awareness to ensure that individuals know how to respond effectively in cardiac arrest emergencies.
If we could increase the number of OHCA cases that receive bystander CPR to 75%, we could save almost 32,000 additional lives.
BEST has committed to work with the AHA to work towards improving CPR and AED training and awareness to save that many more.
NOT QUITE
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), approximately every 40 SECONDS someone in the U.S. has a heart attack.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally.
In the United States, approximately 127.9 million adults (48.6%) have some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest each year in the United States.
In 2025, approximately 350,000 were out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and 315,000 died.
Only approximately 140,000 OHCA cases (40%) received bystander CPR of which 36,400 survived hospital admission.
If we could increase those numbers so that 75% of OHCA cases received bystander CPR,
BEST instructors are Nationally Certified to teach lifesaving skills such as CPR and AED use, following the American Heart Association's guidelines.
The Basic Life Support (BLS) teaches CPR and other critical skills for cardiac or respiratory distress.
Heartsaver Course trains nonmedical individuals in CPR, AED usage, and First Aid.