Awareness campaign launched to support World Restart a Heart Day and World Stroke Day

Globally, cardiovascular disease accounts for nearly 18 million deaths annually, and 40–50% of cardiovascular deaths are sudden cardiac deaths.¹ One in four people over age 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime.² To raise awareness about both issues, Stryker has launched a campaign that recognizes World Restart a Heart Day (16 October 2020) and World Stroke Day (29 October 2020). But more than raising awareness, the campaign focuses on education to take immediate action.

In the case of a sudden cardiac arrest, studies show the rate of survival decreases by 10% for every minute without intervention.³ Similarly, knowing the warning signs may be the difference between recovery and disability when a stroke happens. That’s why education is critically important for all people, not only healthcare professionals.

The campaign message is simple: Sudden cardiac arrest and stroke are more common than you think. So, you need the knowledge and ability to respond very quickly and confidently when they happen.

The campaign will provide opportunities to learn how to respond and help save a life—including performing CPR when sudden cardiac arrest strikes and recognizing the signs of a stroke using the acronym FAST. This statement helps people remember the warning signs of a stroke—Face, Arms, Speech and Time—because every second counts.

The campaign will run until the end of the month. Learn more here.

 

1. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Who.int. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds). Accessed October 2020.

2. V. Feigin et al. Global, Regional and Country-Specific Lifetime Risks of Stroke, 1990 and 2016. New Engl J Med 2018;379:2429-2437

3. Cummins RO. 1989. From concept to standard of care? Review of the clinical experience with automated external defibrillators. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 18: 1269–75.