New Cleveland Clinic Survey: Only Half Of Americans Say They Know CPR

When it comes to heart health emergencies, many Americans don’t have the knowledge to aid others, and often don’t know the proper way to help themselves, according to a new Cleveland Clinic survey.

The survey found that slightly more than half of Americans (54 percent) say they know how to perform CPR; however, only one in six know that the recommended technique for bystander CPR consists of just chest compressions – and no breaths – on an adult. Even fewer, 11 percent, know the correct pace for performing these compressions (100 to 120 beats per minute).

(Watch the survey result video below)

In the event of a cardiac arrest, an automated external defibrillator (AED) can also be a lifesaver. However, only about a quarter (27 percent) of Americans say there is an AED at their workplaces.

“When someone is suffering from cardiac arrest, time is not on their side,” said Steve Nissen, M.D., chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. “Immediate CPR can be the difference between life and death, doubling or even tripling a person’s chance of survival. It’s a skill that can be easily learned, and we encourage everyone to equip themselves with this knowledge and not be afraid to use it during an emergency.”

When it comes to their own heart emergencies, Americans need additional education in identifying and responding to a heart attack. The survey found that many Americans confused stroke and heart attack symptoms. Fifty-nine percent falsely identified sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg as a symptom of a heart attack, and 39 percent thought slurred speech was a heart attack symptom. Most Americans knew that pressure/squeezing in the chest, shortness of breath and pain in one or both arms were typical symptoms, but less than half of Americans knew back or jaw pain and nausea/vomiting can be heart attack indicators.

“Every year about 735,000 Americans experience a heart attack. It’s vital to know the correct signs and symptoms, so people can take the best first steps to help themselves during an emergency. Knowing how to properly respond to a heart attack could save your life or the life of a loved one,” said Dr. Nissen.

While most Americans know to call 911 as the first step in responding to a heart attack, only about one-third (36 percent) know that they should chew an aspirin right away. Even so, about one in ten Americans thinks the first thing they should do when experiencing a heart attack is to call their physician or drive to the hospital. There is also confusion as to what a heart attack actually is, as 87 percent falsely believe cardiac arrest is another term for heart attack. Cardiac arrest is the sudden stopping of the heart, usually caused by the malfunction of the heart’s electrical system, while heart attacks occur when a coronary artery becomes blocked, stopping the flow of blood to the heart muscle and damaging it.

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States and around the world. The survey was conducted as part of Cleveland Clinic’s “Love your Heart” consumer education campaign in celebration of American Heart Month. Cleveland Clinic has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in the country for cardiology and cardiac surgery for 23 years in a row by US News & World Report.

Additional survey findings include:

• Social Media Generation: The survey found a generation gap when it comes to heart health. Boomers (49 percent) are much more likely than Millennials (32 percent) to say they know a lot about heart health overall. In fact, 37 percent of Millennials say they would rather spend time on Instagram than learn about heart health.
• Pressure on Providers: Americans largely expect their doctors to keep them informed about their heart health. Eighty-seven percent of Americans expect their doctors to tell them about their heart health, with 62 percent saying they make it a point to ask their doctor about their heart health themselves. Boomers are more likely to ask their doctors about heart health, while 49 percent of Millennials say they don’t know what to ask their doctor.
• Nuts & Bolts of the Heart: While Americans are somewhat familiar with the anatomy of the heart – 64 percent know it has four chambers – knowledge is limited about how the heart works. Only about a third (32 percent) know that heart valves make sure the blood flows in one direction through the heart, and only 10 percent know that electricity keeps their heart beating in rhythm.
• Kicking the Habit: Many Americans understand the heart health risks associated with smoking, but this is not always the biggest factor in the decision to quit. Among current and former smokers, about 18 percent said they quit because of concerns over their heart health or because of other health concerns like cancer (19 percent).

Methodology

Cleveland Clinic’s survey of the general population gathered insights into Americans’ perceptions of heart disease and exercise. This was a online survey conducted among a national probability dual-sample consisting of 1,007 adults, 470 men and 537 women 18 years of age and older, living in the continental United States. We have weighted the numbers to be nationally representative. This online survey was conducted by Research Now between October 8 and 23, 2017. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level is +/- 3.1 percent.

Related patient stories:

• Man who taught CPR to 65,000 people receives new heart after 7 years of waiting
• Dad walks daughter down aisle after CPR saves his life

Related heart health stories from our Health Essentials blog:

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest: 5 Things Raise Your Risk
• Get Involved! Why You Could Make a Difference When It Comes to Cardiac Arrest
• I’ve Had a Heart Attack: Can I Restart an Exercise Regimen?
• How Your Diabetes Can Mask Heart Disease — Or a Heart Attack
• Have You Heard of These 5 Heart Attack Risk Factors?

Experts available:

Steven Nissen, M.D., M.A.C.C. , Chair, Cardiovascular Medicine

Ahmed, Haitham, M.D., Cardiovascular Medicine

Viviana Navas, MD, Cardiovascular Medicine

Leonardo Rodriguez, M.D., Cardiologist

Emer Joyce, MD PhD, Cardiovascular Medicine

Info graphics available for download:

“Immediate CPR can be the different between life and death.”

37 % of millennials say they’d rather spend time on Instagram than learn about heart health.

About half of Americans know nothing at all about their personal heart health.

Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in the U.S.

Slightly more than half of Americans say they know how to perform CPR.

Love Your Heart Survey Results

Video available for download:

• Cleveland Clinic News Service video package, audio and script
• Dr. Rodriguez comments on Heart Month Survey (Spanish)
• Heart month b-roll