Prompt CPR and Defibrillator Use Crucial to Survive Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Experts warn that brain damage can become irreversible within five minutes of cardiac arrest and stress the need for immediate chest compressions and defibrillation.
Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, yet younger individuals and athletes may suffer from hidden genetic heart disorders. Dr. Kovács Enikő, president of the Magyar Resuscitatiós Társaság, explained that brain injury can become permanent after just five minutes without circulation, and every minute of hesitation lowers the likelihood of survival. Data from Denmark show that more frequent layperson-initiated resuscitation has more than doubled the proportion of patients alive after 30 days.
Hungarian studies indicate that applying an AED on site markedly raises the probability of restoring spontaneous circulation. The SzívCity app now maps over two thousand domestic AEDs and can dispatch the nearest trained responder when an emergency is reported. Professionals are calling for a unified national AED network and stronger CPR education in schools.
