
Cardiac Arrest Survival Rises Over Last Two Decades
While the incidence of cardiac arrest occurring outside the hospital has remained relatively stable, at about 81 per 100,000 person-years, between 2001 and 2020, data show survival rates improved from 14.7% to 18.9% during that period. This improvement corresponded with increased bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), from 55.5% to 73.9%, and the use of early automated external defibrillators, from 2.2% to 10.9%.
METHODOLOGY:
Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 25,118 adults in King County, Washington, who had experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) treated by emergency medical services (EMS) between 2001 and 2020.
Of those, 15,994 (63.7%) were men and 9124 were women; the median age was 65 years.
Annual incidence calculations were stratified by sex, age group (less than 65 years and 65 years or older), and initial rhythm (shockable, nonshockable).
The tesearchers evaluated temporal trends using Poisson regression for incidence and survival to hospital discharge, with resuscitation assessed in five-year groups.
TAKEAWAY:
Overall survival to hospital discharge improved significantly over time: 14.7% (859 of 5847 individuals) in 2001-2005, 17.4% (1024 of 5885 individuals) in 2006-2010, 19.3% (1232 of 6376 individuals) in 2011-2015, and 18.9% (1322 of 7010 individuals) in 2016-2020 (P < .001 for trend).
Survival rates increased substantially for shockable OHCA, from 35% to 47.5%, and for nonshockable OHCA, from 6.4% to 10.1% between the periods spanning 2001-2005 and 2016-2020 (P < .001 for trend).
Improvements were observed in both prehospital resuscitation (survival to hospital admission) and in-hospital survival (P < .001 for trend).
Community response rose significantly, with bystander CPR increasing from 55.5% to 73.9% and early use of an automated external defibrillator rising from 2.2% to 10.9% (P < .001 for trend).
IN PRACTICE:
'Resuscitation outcomes improved over time, a temporal trend that was evident overall and when stratified by presenting arrest rhythm,' the researchers reported. 'The outcome improvements corresponded to improvements in health services such as increase in bystander CPR, AED application before EMS among patients with shockable rhythm, and hospital-based care with targeted temperature management and coronary intervention. The results demonstrate the dynamic nature of OHCA incidence and resuscitation care and outcome that collectively help provide a foundational context to consider strategies of prevention and treatment.'
SOURCE:
The study was led by Owen McBride, MD, of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. It was published online July 16 in JAMA Cardiology.
LIMITATIONS:
According to the authors, while the study represents a singular regional experience that could affect generalizability, as OHCA incidence and outcome can vary based on geography. Some people who experience OHCA have an emergency response but do not receive resuscitation attempts due to signs of irreversible death or do-not-resuscitate orders, whereas some OHCA events do not receive a 911 medical response.
DISCLOSURES:
Michael Sayre, MD, reported receiving personal fees from Styker Emergency Response outside the submitted work. Thomas Rea, MD, MPH, reported receiving grants from Philips Medical Funding and the American Heart Association for research independent of the current publication. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
This Personality Trait Might Be the Key to a Longer, Healthier Life
As a society, we're not as trusting as we used to be—for good reason. We're living at a time of internet scams, catfishing, artificial intelligence, and social media, where you really don't know what to believe. But a new study suggests that being more trusting may actually have its benefits. Published recently in the American Psychological Association's journal Psychological Bulletin, the research found that people with higher levels of trust in both other people and institutions have higher levels of well-being than those who aren't as trusting. This is especially important, the authors argue, as well-being is not only an indicator of quality of life, but also a predictor of health and longevity. So, what does it take to become more trusting? And how do you strike a balance between trust and caution? We spoke with a number of experts to find out. Why Does Trust Improve Well-Being? The study found that people who feel they can rely on others—whether it's close relationships or the broader systems around them—tend to experience lower stress, stronger emotional regulation, and a greater sense of safety in the world, says Dr. Sanam Hafeez, PhD, neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind. 'All of these factors support not just mental wellness but also physical health,' she explains. 'The absence of trust leaves people more prone to feeling alone, hypervigilant or anxious, and over time, chronic stress triggers the body's stress response. Studies have shown connections between chronic stress and inflammation, cardiovascular disease, lowered immunity, and even cognitive decline.' In contrast, trusting others may provide a protective benefit, lowering cortisol levels and buffering behaviors associated with long-term health like remaining socially connected, seeking medical care when needed, and sticking to healthful routines, Hafeez says. 'Trust isn't just a pleasant emotion, it's a potent psychological resource,' she explains. 'When nurtured over the course of a lifetime, it can contribute to both emotional resilience and physical longevity.' Additionally, the study shows that the most important kind of trust is interpersonal (involving our family and friends), which has the strongest positive link to our well-being. 'With clients, one of the most important protective factors that can help with their healing process is having access to strong and positive social support systems, which is what this study confirms,' says Patrice Le Goy, PhD, licensed marriage and family therapist. The study also notes trust is particularly important for older adults who may need to rely on—and trust—people more as they become limited in some activities, Le Goy points out. 'If they have these positive relationships where there is a strong sense of trust, they have higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction,' she says. How Can We Increase Our Trust in Other People? Despite the benefits, being more trusting of others can be a challenge, especially if people or institutions have broken your trust in the past. Fortunately, there are ways to help you become more trusting of others. Here are some tips from mental health experts. Start Small According to the study, trust can change based on our experiences and environment. According to Cynthia Vejar, PhD, professor of clinical mental health counseling at Lebanon Valley College, building trust starts small, in the presence of everyday initiatives and routine moments. For example, if a person has difficulty with trust, they might begin by noticing that their colleagues are reliable and dependable by showing up on time, following through on commitments, and working collaboratively. 'These kinds of observations can be reassuring and allow the person to begin to open up to deep and meaningful interactions elsewhere,' Vejar says. Hafeez recommends observing how people show up over time. 'Do their actions match their words, do they listen without judgment, do they respect your boundaries?' she asks. 'Trust grows when people demonstrate reliability in small, everyday ways.' Understand There's Risk Involved Increasing trust with others is all about taking small, calculated risks, says Hannah Holmes, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Holmes Psychology & Consulting. 'There is always the possibility that others might hurt us or let us down, and this feels especially real if you have experienced a lot of that in your history,' she says. Shift Your Mindset Trusting others can be challenging and requires intentional mindset shifts, changes in our perspective, and continuous monitoring of our mood and self-regulation, says Tori Broems, PhD, licensed psychologist. 'People's well-being influences the way they perceive the world around them,' she says. 'Essentially, our perception of reality holds tremendous weight. When we are happy and positive, we are more trusting, whereas when we are negative and frustrated, we feel less likely to trust others.' Examine Why You Have a Hard Time With Trust Often people who have a difficult time trusting people have good reasons for feeling this way—they've probably been let down by people in their past who they wanted to trust, Le Goy says. 'The work is often in acknowledging and validating that fact first, and understanding our reasons for behaving the way we do,' she explains. 'Once we do that, then we can make sure that we are not using these past hurts to project on people who didn't cause that pain.' Le Goy often asks clients, 'Does this past pain belong in this current relationship?' 'This allows us to consider that we can be safe now even if we have been unsafe in the past,' she says. 'It's actually about helping us trust ourselves more—that we can make good decisions, and we can see if the person in front of us is trustworthy. Only then can we truly increase our trust in other people.' Stay in the Present Hafeez stresses the importance of staying grounded in the present rather than assuming someone new will behave like someone from your past. 'That takes self-awareness and patience, but it is possible,' she says. 'It also helps to strengthen your emotional boundaries. When you know you can speak up, walk away, or protect your peace, you feel less anxious about giving people a chance.' Give People a Chance to Show They're Trustworthy While it makes sense to practice some caution and not share everything with someone you've just met, you should at least give them the opportunity to demonstrate their trustworthiness, Holmes suggests. 'This could look a lot of different ways, ranging from sharing an embarrassing story to delegating a low-stakes task to someone else,' she says. 'Trusting others with small things gives them the opportunity to demonstrate trustworthiness, which in turn will help you build your trust in that person. It's okay for this process to take a little time.' How Can We Strike a Balance Between Trust and Caution? Trust is like a muscle that you build over time, Le Goy says. This involves trusting yourself and listening to your gut when something feels 'off.' Instead of blindly trusting—or distrusting—someone, Broems suggests trying realistic trust-building. Ask yourself whether this person follows through. Do their actions match their words? Can they handle your boundaries respectfully? 'You don't have to trust fast—just slowly building this over time can be helpful,' she says. Striking the right balance between trust and caution might mean that the person starts off more discerning, and with time, they become more open and trusting, Vejar says. 'It is important to note that 'discernment' is different from 'cynicism,' the latter of which might prevent the development of trust,' she explains. 'While both discernment and cynicism involve caution and protection, discernment is more observant—open to information as it unfolds—and cynicism is more suspicious and negative.' Ultimately, striking a healthy balance between trust and caution means learning to stay open without being naive, Hafeez says. 'It is not about trusting everyone equally, it is about being emotionally available while also using discernment,' she says. 'Trust should be something people earn through their actions—not something you give away all at once.' Read the original article on Real Simple
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Can't Sleep? These 4 Exercises Could Help, New Study Suggests
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Sleep can feel elusive sometimes. Stress, poor sleep hygiene—like not having a healthy bedtime routine—and even medications can interfere with sleep quality and quantity. If you struggle with getting enough quality sleep, you're not alone. About 12% of Americans have been diagnosed with insomnia. Defined as trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or getting good quality sleep, insomnia can be short-term or chronic. Besides causing exhaustion and daytime sleepiness, chronic insomnia can also affect memory and concentration, as well as increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. Healthy sleep habits and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective treatments for insomnia. CBT can help calm the nervous system and prepare it for sleep. Healthy sleep habits include things like creating a healthy sleep environment, avoiding alcohol or caffeine near bedtime and maintaining a consistent sleep routine. Of course, there are also sleep medications, but they can have unwanted side effects. In an attempt to find drug-free interventions, there is evidence that suggests that exercise may act as a sleep aid. Researchers from China wanted to take a closer look at this possibility and examine more specifically what types of exercise may be most effective. They conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis and published their findings in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. How Was This Study Conducted? This was a systematic review and meta-analysis, so researchers searched for previously conducted studies that met their criteria. This included studies using participants with insomnia diagnoses and organized exercise as an intervention. After initially finding almost 10,500 studies that met their criteria, researchers rigorously weeded out those that didn't meet all their standards. They settled on 22 randomized controlled trials, which is considered the gold standard in evaluating cause-and-effect relationships between factors. The total number of participants included in all 22 studies was 1,348. The exercise interventions included yoga, tai chi, walking or jogging, aerobic/cardio exercise plus strength training, strength training alone, aerobic exercise combined with therapy (i.e. CBT) and mixed aerobic exercises. What Did This Study Find? RCTs analyze the data in the studies, including running statistical analyses. In this study, many different criteria were tested, based on various aspects of sleep. These researchers concluded that: Yoga may be helpful for those who want to increase total sleep time. Yoga and tai chi may offer benefits for specific clinical symptoms of insomnia, including low sleep efficiency (the actual amount of time you spend asleep while in bed), difficulty falling asleep and frequently waking up in the middle of the night. Tai chi may extend sleep time, both in the short-term and long-term (after one or two years of follow-up). Walking or jogging may help mitigate daytime sleepiness. Though researchers used rigorous standards when choosing the studies to include in this meta-analysis, there are still a few limitations. First, some of the studies tested at moderate or high levels regarding bias. There was also an absence of exercise 'dose'—including frequency and intensity—in some of the studies, so researchers are unable to say how much and at what intensities these exercise types may be most helpful. How Does This Apply to Real Life? If you're having sleep issues, one of the first things to consider is your sleep hygiene. What does your bedtime routine look like? Ideally, you want to spend an hour before your head hits the pillow preparing your body for sleep. This includes getting off devices, dimming the lights and engaging in relaxing activities, like reading, journaling or listening to calming music. Having a bedtime routine that feels familiar is a healthy trigger for your brain to start preparing for sleep. That routine may be as simple as washing up, flossing and brushing your teeth and getting into pajamas. Your sleep environment is key, too. Having a dark room allows your body to produce melatonin, the hormone that signals your body that it's time to go into sleep mode. It's also important to have your bedroom on the cool side, as being too warm inhibits sleep, and make sure your pillows, mattress and sheets are comfortable for you. Many people also find that white noise, like a fan or the sound of rain, helps with sleep. As this study suggests, it's not just what you do at bedtime that influences sleep; what you do during the day matters, too. Yoga, tai chi, walking and jogging all seem to improve sleep quality and quantity. Even getting outside into natural light during the afternoon may help you sleep better. But what about the timing of exercise? Recent research suggests that vigorous exercise done within four hours of bedtime may disrupt sleep quality and length. This research suggests opting for light, relaxing exercise if done in the evening, or making sure your vigorous workouts are reserved for earlier in the day and are no closer than four hours before bedtime. It's also important to avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and large meals too close to bedtime, and try to keep a consistent bedtime, even on the weekends. If you nap in the afternoon, limit its length if you find it prevents you from falling asleep at bedtime. And if you find you get up at night to pee, take a break from the fluids earlier in the evening. While eating a large meal too close to bedtime can interrupt sleep, a rumbling belly sure doesn't help either. If you're hungry before bedtime, choose a sleep-friendly snack. Some ideas include banana with almond butter, Greek yogurt with sprouted pumpkin seeds and tart cherries or a turkey and apple roll-up. Our Expert Take This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that yoga, tai chi, walking and jogging may help you sleep better. While this study can't say how much or at what intensity of each activity helps the most, you can experiment with that. The important thing is that whichever activities you choose, do them consistently over a long period of time for the greatest benefits. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
This temporary tattoo could warn you if your drink has been spiked
For decades, 'protect your drink' has been one of the foundational unofficial rules of nightlife. The threat of unwittingly consuming a date-rape drug looms so large that steps to combat that risk have become a routine part of any night out. There are even new products designed specifically to defend against having a drink spiked. That level of diligence is, unfortunately, necessary. While the nature of date-rape drugs makes it hard to track how frequently they are used, evidence suggests that millions of people are sexually assaulted every year after consuming drugs they took involuntarily. Researchers in Korea have come up with a simple and effective idea that they hope will give people an easy new way to protect themselves. It's a temporary tattoo that can instantly detect the presence of one of the most common date-rape drugs from a single drop of a suspect drink. The tattoo is made with a mix containing a chemical receptor that reacts to even tiny amounts of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) — an odorless, tasteless drug that is often used in what authorities call drug-facilitated sexual assault. When the tattoo comes in contact with GHB, it changes color from yellow to red, providing a clear indication within one second that a beverage has been tampered with. There are other products on the market that can be used to test drinks for GHB, along with other date-rape drugs like Rohypnol and ketamine, but they are difficult to use discreetly and can take up to five minutes to provide results. Someone wearing one of the tattoos, on the other hand, could easily dip their finger into their beverage, touch the tattoo and know right away whether it has been tampered with. All this can be done in secret because the tattoos can be made in any shape, so their true purpose won't be obvious to the people around you. The researchers behind the tattoos hope their innovation will one day provide a 'proactive and accessible solution' that will allow people to easily and subtly protect themselves. According to a study published in the scientific journal ACS Sensors, the tattoos were consistently able to detect small amounts of GHB — as little as 0.01 micrograms in 1 milliliter of liquid — in a variety of beverages, including whiskey, vodka, beer, coffee and soju (a popular Korean alcoholic drink). The tattoos could also prove useful after an assault has occurred, the researchers say. Authorities often struggle to determine whether a victim consumed a 'spiked' drink because common date-rape drugs stop being detectible in someone's system within a few hours and often can only be verified by a professional lab. But the tattoos can display a positive result for up to 30 days, which the researchers say 'could be important if it's needed as a form of evidence of tampering.' So far, the tattoos have only been tested with GHB, but the researchers say the same system could likely be used to detect other drugs if different chemical receptors are added. It's unclear when the tattoos might be available to the public, but the researchers said a commercial product could be on the market soon because the tattoos are inexpensive and easy to manufacture.