St. Lukes Health Care Foundation is donating 50 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the Cedar Rapids Police Department (CRPD) as part of the Heart Safe Community program.

Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S., yet many of these deaths are preventable, said Dr. Ryan Sundermann, medical director of St. Lukes Emergency Department. Our goal is to make Cedar Rapids a Heart Safe Community by building a cardiac safety net for our residents and visitors.

According to the American Heart Association, each year, more than 294,000 Americans experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside of a hospital. CPR and early defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) more than doubles a victim's chance of survival. AHA estimates 20,000 to 100,000 lives could be saved each year with AEDs. Defibrillation within the first minute of sudden cardiac arrest can save the lives of up to 90 percent of its victims.

Terry Whitney of Cedar Rapids is here today thanks to his fast-acting family, the care he received at St. Lukes and a Cedar Rapids police officer with an AED. Two years ago Whitney collapsed in his home after complaining of indigestion. His daughter, Erica Whitney-Kearns, and son-in-law, Josh Kearns, performed CPR until the police arrived with an AED.

With every passing minute the chance of surviving a sudden heart arrest decreases, said Dr. Sundermann. The first 10 minutes following a heart attack can mean the difference between life and death. Increased access to early defibrillation can help save thousands of lives a year.

Sudden cardiac arrest is usually caused by an electrical malfunction of the heart called ventricular fibrillation. The heart muscle quivers and is unable to pump blood through the body. Once the blood stops circulating, a person quickly loses consciousness and the ability to breathe. Defibrillation is the only effective treatment for ventricular fibrillation.

Terry Whitney was rushed by ambulance to St. Lukes, where he was treated for his heart attack.

Im grateful for all of the care I received, said Whitney. CPR and AEDs save lives I am here today as living proof. I feel blessed there was an AED in the squad car that showed up at my home.

We are very grateful for this generous donation from St. Lukes Health Care Foundation, said Greg Graham, Cedar Rapids police chief. "Police officers often are the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency. Having AEDs in all of our police vehicles is sure to save lives. St. Lukes Heart Safe Community program is a tremendous effort aimed at reducing deaths from sudden cardiac arrest."

"We are very happy to support the Cedar Rapids Police Department by providing this life-saving equipment," said Shannon Duval, St. Lukes Health Care Foundation president. We value our local emergency response organizations and are happy to help whenever we can. We want to ensure our citys police officers are properly equipped as they work to keep our communities safe.

In 2002, as part of its Heart Safe Community program, St. Lukes donated 20 AEDs to some of Cedar Rapids largest public facilities.

St. Lukes is donating the Cardiac Science G3 Plus AEDs from Code Red LLC of Chicago. Each of the 50 AEDs come equipped with adult and pediatric chest pads. Unlike the models of defibrillators intended for use by healthcare professionals, AEDs do not require extensive medical knowledge to understand or operate. The expertise needed to analyze the hearts electrical function is programmed into the device, enabling non-medical professionals to respond to cardiac emergencies.

AEDs provide clear voice prompts and screen displays that instruct the user to attach electrodes and then stay clear while the device analyzes the patients heart rhythm. If the AEDs computer determines the patients heart is in a shockable rhythm, the rescuer is again prompted to remain clear of the patient while defibrillation shock is delivered.