Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is one of Ireland’s leading causes of death, yet public understanding of the condition — what causes it, how to recognise it, and crucially, how to respond to it — remains limited. Greater awareness and preparedness could save thousands of lives every year.

What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing it to stop pumping blood effectively. This is distinct from a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. While a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, they are not the same thing. A heart attack victim is typically conscious and experiencing pain. A cardiac arrest victim collapses, becomes unconscious, and stops breathing normally. Without immediate intervention, death follows within minutes.

The Scale of the Problem in Ireland

The statistics are sobering. Approximately 5,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest in Ireland every year. The national OHCAR registry recorded 2,802 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests with attempted resuscitation in 2022 alone. Of these, just 7.3% survived to leave hospital. The majority of cardiac arrests — around 69% — happen in the home, and 66% of victims are male, with a median age of 69 years. However, SCA can strike anyone at any age, including apparently healthy young adults and athletes.

The Chain of Survival

Survival from SCA depends on a sequence of actions known as the chain of survival. Each link is critical, and any weak link dramatically reduces the chance of a positive outcome.

Early Recognition and Call for Help: Recognising that someone is in cardiac arrest and calling 999/112 immediately.

Early CPR: Starting chest compressions promptly to keep blood circulating to the brain and vital organs. Bystander CPR was performed in 84% of cardiac arrests in Ireland in 2022.

Early Defibrillation: Using an AED to deliver a shock that can restore a normal heart rhythm. In Ireland, members of the public defibrillated 282 patients in 2022, and 31% of those patients survived — dramatically higher than the overall 7.3% survival rate.

Early Advanced Care: Handover to paramedics and hospital care.

Why Time Is Everything

For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chance of survival drops by approximately 10%. If a shock is delivered within the first minute, survival rates can be as high as 90%. At five minutes, survival drops to around 50%. By ten minutes, the chances are minimal. This is why public access defibrillators and community first responders are so vitally important.

What You Can Do

Everyone can play a role in improving cardiac arrest survival rates. Learning CPR is a straightforward skill that takes only a few hours to acquire, and attending an accredited first aid training course will prepare you to use an AED with confidence. Advocating for an AED in your workplace, sports club, school, or community space helps ensure that when the worst happens, the tools to respond are within reach.

Heartsafety Solutions is dedicated to improving cardiac arrest survival across Ireland, with over 10,000 AED units deployed and 12,500 people trained every year. Explore our AED range or contact us to discuss how we can help your community.