Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<p>MANILA — Deaths due to heart disease are often caused by cardiac arrest or the sudden stoppage of the heart, and this may happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/03/01/16/cardiac-arrest-or-heart-attack-know-the-difference"><strong>Cardiac arrest or heart attack: Know the difference</strong></a></div><p>In fact, around 70,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest every year in the Philippines, with a survival rate of less than 5% according to Don Robespierre Reyes, head of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Council on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.</p><p>Being hit with a heart emergency in public at least increases the chance of accessibility and knowledgeable bystanders who may provide the needed care, but what if the crisis happens at what’s supposed to be the comfort of our own homes?</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PHILIPPINES&#x27; CARDIAC ARREST REALITY</strong></div><p>During the latest edition of the PHA’s “Usapang Puso sa Puso” series titled “Let’s All Be 911 Ready” last Oct. 4, Reyes explained that around 70% of cardiac arrests are caused by heart conditions.</p><p>Ischemic heart conditions remain as the top cause of death in the country for last year according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, with cardiovascular conditions ranking third.</p><p>Moreover, the Philippines leads the number of total cardiac arrest incidences in the Asia region.</p><p>Victims most commonly die from ventricular fibrillation, which is defined by the Cleveland Clinic as the twitching of the heart’s ventricles or lower chambers, preventing the proper pumping and flow of blood throughout the body.</p><p>Once the brain doesn’t receive blood flow for four minutes, its cells start to die due to lack of oxygen, leading to a gradual loss of overall body function.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ASSESS THE SITUATION AND CALL FOR HELP</strong></div><p>When a member of the household gets locked in cardiac arrest, those present must first check the responsiveness of the patient through their breathing and pulse.</p><p>The next step is to dial the emergency hotline for help, which is now made easier through the ‘Unified 911’ number launched by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/11/dilg-launches-unified-911-as-single-nationwide-emergency-hotline-1338"><strong>DILG launches Unified 911 as single nationwide emergency hotline</strong><br/></a></div><p>While help is on the way, the nearest automatic external defibrillator (AED) must be sought.</p><p>Patients must be brought to the hospital as early as five minutes after the attack, for the chance of survival starts decreasing every passing minute.</p><p>“‘Pag hindi po nadala sa ospital in five minutes, tumataas po ‘yung chances na mamatay. ‘Pag pahaba nang pahaba, lalong namamatay ‘yung biktima ng sudden cardiac arrest,” Reyes said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FIRST AID</strong></div><p>While waiting for help to arrive, it’s important to administer proper emergency care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the usage of an automatic external defibrillator (AED).</p><p>CPR is an emergency procedure done once the heart stops beating, which may be done using the conventional method requiring both hand and mouth compressions, or hands-only.</p><p>“Kailangan may marunong gumawa ng CPR, ‘yung maganda, ‘yung tama,” Reyes said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/7/17/doh-encourages-every-filipino-to-learn-how-to-conduct-cpr-1710">DOH encourages every Filipino to learn how to conduct CPR</a></div><p>Training must be done to provide proper, high-quality CPR. However, quick hands-only resuscitation may also be performed through rapidly pushing on the victim’s chest.</p><p>The PHA said previously that hands-only CPR may already suffice as it prevents the spread of communicable diseases.</p><p>If incapable of administering resuscitation on their own, those nearby may seek the help of an available community member. The PHA, alongside the Department of Health (DOH), aims to have at least half of a community’s population become knowledgeable about CPR.</p><p>However, one may also seek the assistance of the community’s first responders, which, according to the PHA,include: </p><ul style="list-style-type:circle"><li>police officers,</li><li>firemen, </li><li>barangay tanods and health workers,</li><li>employees of disaster risk reduction and management offices, and</li><li>teachers and students Grade 5 and above.</li></ul><div><br/></div><div><strong>AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR</strong></div><p>On the other hand, AEDs are a type of portable medical device that uses electronic waves to revert the heart’s beating to normal.</p><p>“Matalino po ang AED na ‘to, magbibigay lang po ng kuryente ‘yan kung kailangan,” Reyes explained.</p><p>These should be accessible in public areas with heavy foot traffic, and are likely areas where cardiac arrest may occur.</p><p>Multiple health organizations such as the American Red Cross have listed the following steps to use an AED:</p><ol><li>While someone is administering CPR, turn the device on</li><li>Remove clothing covering the chest of the patient</li><li>Ensure no one is touching the patient once the device measures their heart’s rhythm</li><li>When a shock is needed, push the “shock” button</li><li>Once idle, administer CPR again for 1.5 to 2 minutes</li><li>Repeat AED procedure until help arrives</li></ol><p>When proper emergency care is provided before being delivered promptly to the hospital, the patient’s chance of survival rises up to 30%, said Reyes. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TgIktUr6sUA?si=Bxeta3lszY8703B2" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" __gchrome_childframeremotetoken="4fc8d3c53a4271b00caa96257374521e"></iframe></div>

<p>When proper emergency care is provided before being delivered promptly to the hospital, the patient’s chance of survival rises up to 30%, said Reyes.</p>

When proper emergency care is provided before being delivered promptly to the hospital, the patient’s chance of survival rises up to 30%, said Reyes.

GUIDE: Steps following an at-home cardiac arrest

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GUIDE: Steps following an at-home cardiac arrest

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Rainer Martin Dacuycuy

Published November 15, 2025 08:46 AM PHT

Read More:

Health

Cardiac arrest

heart disease

Philippine Heart Association

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