3 ways to take charge of your health during American Heart Month

More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year. This February during American Heart Month, the American Heart Association is calling on everyday citizens to be agents of change by stepping in as the first responder until professional help arrives.

Nine out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, in part because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half of the time. The American Heart Association envisions communities where people don’t wait for help — they become it.

The association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative offers suggestions on how individuals can take charge of personal health and inspire a Nation of Lifesavers this American Heart Month:

—Learn CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers. In Wayne County individuals and families can take an online or in-person CPR course, watch a 90-second video to learn hands-only CPR for adults, or watch a video to learn how to save an infant or child using CPR with breaths. To learn more about CPR including new CPR guidelines published in "Circulation" this fall, visit www.heart.org/nation.

—Make a plan. During a cardiac emergency, a well-developed plan could make all the difference. Individuals serve as the first responders until professional help arrives. A cardiac emergency response plan establishes specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in any setting — be it a school, community organization, workplace or sports facility. Learn more about CERPs and find free resources at www.heart.org/cerp.

—Get local. Join the Wayne County Heart Walk. Strong communities are built by preparedness. Participation may include joining a Heart Walk team, taking a CPR class, or making sure an office, school or church has a plan. This is a time to take charge of personal health and the health of the community. Register at www.heart.org/wayneheartwalk.

Cardiac arrest can affect anyone, anywhere — at the gym, in the grocery store or during a child’s soccer game. However, bystanders only intervene less than half of the time, often due to uncertainty or lack of training. Yet CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest.

“In an emergency, bystanders don’t need medical training to save a life. All you need is knowledge, courage and the willingness to act,” said Bonnie Hall, volunteer co-chair of the 2026 Wayne County Heart Walk and president/CEO of Westview Healthy Living. “I’ve learned through the American Heart Association that cardiac arrest can happen to anyone. But it’s also true that anyone can step up and save a life, whether it’s a stranger or someone they love, by learning CPR and taking action in an emergency.”

The goal of the association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative is to turn bystanders into lifesavers, so that in the face of a cardiac emergency, anyone, anywhere, is prepared and empowered to become a vital link in the chain of survival and provide CPR.

“CPR education and community preparedness are essential because they empower individuals to respond effectively in emergencies,” said Jody Starcher, co-chair of this year’s Wayne County Heart Walk and director of supply chain for PRC-Saltillo. “With cardiac arrest happening suddenly, knowing CPR can mean the difference between life and death. By promoting these skills through the Heart Walk campaign, we help build a community where more people are ready to step in and save lives when every second counts.”

The American Heart Association leads global efforts in public awareness, education and policy change while also serving as the scientific authority that develops the official CPR and emergency cardiovascular care guidelines used by other CPR and first aid training providers in the U.S. and in more than 90 countries worldwide.

To join the Nation of Lifesavers and continue to raise awareness during American Heart Month, visit www.heart.org/nation. Nation of Lifesavers is nationally sponsored by Walgreens. The 2026 Wayne County Heart Walk is locally sponsored by Buehler’s Fresh Foods and the Cleveland Clinic.