2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association.

BACKGROUND: The American Heart Association (AHA), in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and obesity) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose control, and metabolic syndrome) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, brain health, complications of pregnancy, kidney disease, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac arrest, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs). METHODS: The AHA, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States and globally to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2024 AHA Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2023 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and AHA staff members. The AHA strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional global data, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains. RESULTS: Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics. CONCLUSIONS: The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association.

BACKGROUND: The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs). METHODS: The American Heart Association, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2023 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2022 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. The American Heart Association strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) publications, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains. RESULTS: Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics. CONCLUSIONS: The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Exploring experiences associated with aortic stenosis diagnosis, treatment and life impact among middle-aged and older adults.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although multiple studies have examined the clinical aspects of diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with aortic stenosis (AS), limited data exist regarding patient experiences related to symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and personal impacts of living with AS. METHODOLOGY: Adults aged ≥40 years diagnosed with AS were recruited and separated into three cohorts: medically managed, surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Forty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted (15 per treatment group) via teleconference using open-ended questions and probes. Interview recordings were transcribed, and inductive thematic analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The majority of participants were male (55.6%), White (95.6%), and non-Hispanic (93.3%). Participants noting longer times to diagnosis also reported mild symptom onset and experiences of misdiagnoses. Participants described a strong reliance on their health care professionals (HCPs) to guide them through their treatment decisions, which were influenced by the effects of anticoagulation, future valve interventions, and recovery. Medically managed participants reported having to make lifestyle modifications to manage symptoms, while participants who underwent TAVI or SAVR reported positive sentiments in their ability to return to normal life following their treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Due to the varied experiences of AS patients, there is a need to improve patient resources to advance patient understanding and facilitate informed treatment decisions. Reported experiences also indicate a need for additional HCP education on early referral to a multidisciplinary heart valve team.

Longitudinal effect of high frequency training on CPR performance during simulated and actual pediatric cardiac arrest.

STUDY AIM: To determine the impact of high-frequency CPR training on performance during simulated and real pediatric CPR events in a pediatric emergency department (ED). METHODS: Prospective observational study. A high-frequency CPR training program (Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI)) was implemented among ED providers in a children's hospital. Data on CPR performance was collected longitundinally during quarterly retraining sessions; scores were analyzed between quarter 1 and quarter 4 by nonparametric methods. Data on CPR performance during actual patient events was collected by simultaneous combination of video review and compression monitor devices to allow measurement of CPR quality by individual providers; linear mixed effects models were used to analyze the association between RQI components and CPR quality. RESULTS: 159 providers completed four consecutive RQI sessions. Scores for all CPR tasks during retraining sessions significantly improved during the study period. 28 actual CPR events were captured during the study period; 49 observations of RQI trained providers performing CPR on children were analyzed. A significant association was found between the number of prior RQI sessions and the percent of compressions meeting guidelines for rate (ß coefficient -0.08; standard error 0.04; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Over a 15 month period, RQI resulted in improved performance during training sessions for all skills. A significant association was found between number of sessions and adherence to compression rate guidelines during real patient events. Fewer than 30% of providers performed CPR on a patient during the study period. Multicenter studies over longer time periods should be undertaken to overcome the limitation of these rare events.

Implementation of a Low-Dose, High-Frequency Cardiac Resuscitation Quality Improvement Program in a Community Hospital.

BACKGROUND: In 2015 the American Heart Association launched the Resuscitation Quality ImprovementⓇ (RQIⓇ) Program to address the urgent need to improve in-hospital cardiac arrest survival through a novel competency-based model for health care provider (HCP) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. This innovation differs from the traditional Basic Life Support (BLS) training model by providing self-directed, low-dose, high-frequency CPR skill activities with the objectives of skills mastery and retention. A program implementation study was conducted at the first hospital in the state of Illinois to adopt RQI in 2016. METHODS: The study was designed to evaluate implementation of the RQI program, CPR performance during RQI simulation sessions, and participant impressions at a community hospital. Quantitative data were evaluated based on psychomotor compression and ventilation performance. Quantitative and qualitative data were evaluated based on a perceptual CPR confidence and program satisfaction survey. RESULTS: Statistical analysis demonstrates significant improvement in HCPs' quarterly psychomotor CPR skill performance over a one-year period in first compression score, and first and highest ventilation score per quarterly session. The number of attempts to pass the ventilation skill session decreased between the first and fourth quarter. Survey results of HCPs' program perceptions 30 months post-RQI implementation indicate satisfaction with the RQI program and an increase in CPR skill confidence. CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrate that the RQI program for ongoing verification of BLS skill and knowledge provides improvements in HCPs' CPR psychomotor competence and confidence/satisfaction using an efficient and sustainable method at a community hospital.

Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education: A Comparison of On-Screen With Compression Feedback, Classroom, and Video Education.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We compare 3 methods of hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education, using performance scores. A paucity of research exists on the comparative effectiveness of different types of hands-only CPR education. This study also includes a novel kiosk approach that has not previously been studied, to our knowledge. METHODS: A randomized, controlled study compared participant scores on 4 hands-only CPR outcome measures after education with a 25- to 45-minute practice-while-watching classroom session (classroom), 4-minute on-screen feedback and practice session (kiosk), and 1-minute video viewing (video only). Participants took a 30-second compression test after initial training and again after 3 months. RESULTS: After the initial education session, the video-only group had a lower total score (compressions correct on hand placement, rate, and depth) (-9.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] -16.5 to -3.0) than the classroom group. There were no significant differences on total score between classroom and kiosk participants. Additional outcome scores help explain which components negatively affect total score for each education method. The video-only group had lower compression depth scores (-9.9; 95% CI -14.0 to -5.7) than the classroom group. The kiosk group outperformed the classroom group on hand position score (4.9; 95% CI 1.3 to 8.6) but scored lower on compression depth score (-5.6; 95% CI -9.5 to -1.8). The change in 4 outcome variables was not significantly different across education type at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Participants exposed to the kiosk session and those exposed to classroom education performed hands-only CPR similarly, and both groups showed skill performance superior to that of participants watching only a video. With regular retraining to prevent skills decay, the efficient and free hands-only CPR training kiosk has the potential to increase bystander intervention and improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Addressing Gaps in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education: Training Middle School Students in Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Training middle school students to perform hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HOCPR) is a potential method to increase overall rates of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We aimed to examine the feasibility of teaching this population CPR using teacher-implemented education sessions guided by American Heart Association (AHA) training kits and resources. METHODS: We conducted a national HOCPR training campaign in middle schools during the 2014-2015 school year. Participating schools utilized AHA CPR training kits to train seventh and eighth grade students. We assessed pretest/posttest knowledge and comfort in performing HOCPR. RESULTS: We recruited 1131 schools and trained approximately 334,610 students in HOCPR. The average pretest score on knowledge questions was 50% and the average posttest score was 84%. Most students (76%) felt comfortable performing HOCPR after the education session. Overall, 98% of teachers said they would continue to implement CPR training in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Large-scale, teacher-implemented CPR education sessions in the middle school setting are a successful approach to increase middle school student's knowledge and comfort in performing HOCPR and to increase overall bystander CPR rates.