The Device That Can Mean The Difference Between Life and Death During Cardiac Arrest

Every year in the US, 350,000 people collapse from cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting. And in 9 out of 10 cases, the person doesn’t survive because help didn’t arrive fast enough.

As a physician, I’ve seen firsthand how every second counts. I’ve performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in hospitals, on the street, and even at 35,000 feet during a flight. But CPR alone isn’t always enough.

Today, I wanted to tell you about the medical device that could mean the difference between life and death during cardiac arrest: an automated external defibrillator (AED).

What’s an Automated External Defibrillator?

An AED is a portable device that analyzes a person’s heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock (if needed) to restore a normal heartbeat.

• “Do I need a medical degree to operate an AED?” Nope. AEDs were designed for the lay public, with voice instructions and visual prompts that guide you step by step.

A common misconception is that AEDs are used to treat heart attacks. However, cardiac arrest and heart attacks are not the same:

• Heart attacks happen when blood flow to the heart is blocked. The heart is still beating, but the muscle is starved of oxygen.
• Cardiac arrest means the heart has stopped beating altogether. It’s a full system shutdown. It can happen to anyone, including people with no history of heart disease.

Do AEDs Really Make a Difference?

Yes. Unequivocally, yes. And the research backs this up:

• A study found that those who receive defibrillation within the first 3 minutes after collapse had a 74% survival rate. But after the first three minutes, the survival rate dropped to 49%.

The American Heart Association's 2020 Guidelines confirm that early defibrillation, when paired with high-quality CPR, gives you the best fighting chance at surviving cardiac arrest.

But speed is everything. With each passing minute, the survival rate drops by 7-10%. That's a problem, because in most areas, paramedics arrive within 8-10 minutes.

Should Every Home Have an AED?

It depends. If you’re a young person with no known risk factors? It’s probably not necessary as cardiac arrest is rare. That said, it’s worth investing in if you:

• Have (or someone you live with) heart disease, prior cardiac arrest, or arrhythmia like ventricular fibrillation.
• Live far from emergency services.
• Are frequently responsible for older adults, or are an older adult yourself.

Out of those 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, about 70% of them occur at home, and roughly 50% happen without any warning signs. This includes seemingly healthy athletes, middle-aged women, and teenagers.

Those odds are precisely why I have one in my home and believe you should too.

AEDs Are an Investment

Home AEDs range from $1,200 to $2,500.

Is it a big expense? Definitely. But so is a treadmill or a home security system, and unlike those, an AED could save you or your loved one’s life. That kind of peace of mind is priceless.

But there are options if price is a concern:

• Some families share an AED among multiple households.
• Use your HSA or FSA accounts to help cover the cost.
• Check with your insurance provider. While most plans don't reimburse for home AEDs, there’s no harm in double-checking.

The model I have at home is the Philips HeartStart Home. It’s FDA-approved for over-the-counter purchase (no prescription needed).

Bottom Line

At the minimum, everyone should know CPR. I’d recommend signing up your whole family for a CPR course (especially a good idea if you have multiple generations together several times a year!).

But if we’re being real, CPR alone often isn’t enough. If the heart is in a rhythm that requires electricity, no amount of chest compressions will restart it.

So if you ask me? We should treat AEDs like smoke alarms: something we hope we never use, but that no home should be without.

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