Every minute-and-a-half in the U.S., and every 45
seconds in Europe, a person dies as a result of a sudden
cardiac arrest¹,² - if you witnessed a cardiac arrest, what
would you do?
Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Royal Philips Electronics
(NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is today launching the Save Lives
website (www.SaveLives.net), an
online campaign to inform people across the world about
sudden cardiac arrest and to empower them to act.
Using award winning design to provide user-friendly
information on key aspects of the condition, www.SaveLives.net aims to
educate people on the importance of acting quickly when
someone suffers from a sudden cardiac arrest. It includes
advice on the use of automated external defibrillators
(AED), which are simple to use, available in an increasing
number of public places and when used correctly with
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), significantly increase
the chances of saving a life.
It is estimated that globally, approximately seven million
people die of sudden cardiac arrest every year,3 including
an estimated 325,000 deaths in the U.S. and 700,000 across
Europe.1,2
"Through SaveLives.net, Philips is
looking to inspire and empower the general public to take
action in cases of sudden cardiac arrest," commented
Anthony Jones, Head of Marketing, Patient Care and Clinical
Informatics, Philips Healthcare. "For the majority of
people who suffer a cardiac arrest, a member of the public
will be the first person onsite and able to provide
treatment. SaveLives.net aims to
ensure the action they take is the right action, and that
they're ultimately able to help save lives."
A sudden cardiac arrest leaves the heart unable to beat
regularly and for every minute before a victim is
defibrillated, the chances of survival are reduced by
between seven and 10 percent.4 It is only by resetting the
heart's rhythm with an electric current, delivered by a
defibrillator, that a normal heart rhythm can be
regained.
1 Heart Rhythm Foundation website - http://www.heartrhythmfoundation.org/facts/scd.asp
(accessed May 2012)
2 Koster et al. European Resuscitation Council
Guidelines for Resuscitation 2010. Section 2. Adult basic
life support and use of automated external defibrillators.
Resuscitation 2010;81: 1277-1292
3 Mehra R. 'Global public health problem of sudden
cardiac death.' Journal of Electrocardiology 2007; 40 (6
Suppl):S118-22
4 Callens D.J. New England Journal of Medicine 2004;
351:632
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE:
PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being
company, focused on improving people's lives through
timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare,
lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies
and design into people-centric solutions, based on
fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of
"sense and simplicity." Headquartered in the Netherlands,
Philips employs approximately 122,000 employees with
sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide.
With sales of EUR 22.6 billion in 2011, the company is a
market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home
healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new
lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for
personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership
positions in male shaving and grooming, portable
entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is
located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
Background information on Philips Saves Lives website:
-
SaveLives.net uses real life survivor stories
alongside a floating navigation system and an
interactive walkthrough on defibrillation and CPR
(cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
-
The Philips Save Lives website (www.SaveLives.net) is
available in 13 countries/regions across the globe:
Australia, England, France, Germany, India, Italy,
Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and
the U.S.
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