Higher survival rates are noticed for cardiac attacks in public than at home

A new study explains individuals may be more likely to survive cardiac arrest if it occurs in public than if they receive shock therapy at home.

Researchers published the study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Based on the research, individuals who go into cardiac arrest at an airport, sporting event, or mall notice high chances of survival.

At home, even though some cardiac patients have access to an automated external defibrillator (AED), they notice lower chances of surviving a cardiac attack overall.

Researchers believe this finding is due to the fact that nearly 80 percent of all cardiac arrests in a public area are caused by heart rhythm changes that are usually survivable. When cardiac arrest occurs in the home, it is more likely it is a significant heart failure.

Another reason for the higher chance of surviving a cardiac arrest in a large public area, researchers believe, is that a highly trained individual is usually present. At home, that may not be the case.

Study authors believe equipment needs to be more readily available in large public venues, and this could help increase survival rates even more.