Fitness Club Best Place for Cardiac Arrest Survival: Study

People who suffer sudden cardiac arrest at a fitness center are more likely to survive than those stricken at other indoor locations such as restaurants or malls, a new study finds. The improved chance of survival is likely because of better availability of automated external defibrillators and an increased likelihood of receiving early CPR, the researchers said. "Our findings should encourage broader implementation of and adherence to recommendations for [automated external defibrillator] placement and sudden cardiac arrest response protocols at traditional exercise facilities," said study lead author Dr. Richard Page, chairman of the department of medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. "In addition, these standards should be extended to alternative fitness facilities, where sudden cardiac arrest incidence is comparable to that seen at traditional exercise facilities." Sudden cardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating, is usually fatal if not treated within minutes. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_139539.html