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Cardiac arrest survival highlights the life‑saving power of CPR and AEDs

Haley and her fiancée.

It’s a fact that when patients who are experiencing cardiac arrest or other heart issues receive prompt medical attention and are taken to a hospital, they are more likely to survive and have fewer long-term complications. For instance, take Haley B., who was saved by first responders using an automated external defibrillator (AED) and then successfully treated at Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center.

Moments That Matter: Haley’s story

When she was 29, Haley unexpectedly went into cardiac arrest due to a rare, previously-undiagnosed heart arrhythmia. Her fiancée immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and called the local police. Upon arrival, they used an AED, which was provided in part by a generous donation from the Newton Medical Center Foundation, to stabilize Haley’s heartbeat. She was then transported to Atlantic Health Morristown, where she underwent surgery and received an internal defibrillator.

Watch more of Haley's remarkable Moments That Matter story:

Project Heartbeat

In an effort to further save the lives of patients like Haley, Atlantic Health created Project Heartbeat, a program developed to empower communities with the training, equipment and confidence necessary to respond to cardiac emergencies and help save lives.

Published: July 17, 2017

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