Twenty Years in the Battle Against Sudden Cardiac Death: Progress, Pitfalls, and Prospects for the Future

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate intervention from lay responders. To address this critical need, the national Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation (SCAF) was established in 2005 to raise awareness, promote community engagement, and support survivors. The history of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, and public response programs illustrates decades of progress in resuscitation science and has helped lay the groundwork for the creation of SCAF. In addition to serving as a trusted information hub, SCAF leads several key initiatives. The Cardiac Arrest Survivor Alliance™ provides an online community for those affected by cardiac arrest, offering connection, support, and resources. The Call-Push-Shock campaign promotes three lifesaving steps to address out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: call 911, perform CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). While SCA remains a major cause of death, significant progress has been made in public education and response. Technological innovations such as dispatcher-assisted CPR, the widespread placement of AEDs, and improved EMS and cardiac arrest registries, have all strengthened the chain of survival. Public understanding has also improved, with the media increasingly distinguishing SCA from heart attacks, thanks in part to SCAF’s tireless advocacy. As SCAF marks its 20th anniversary, the organization celebrates two decades of progress and looks ahead with optimism. Its mission remains steadfast: to raise awareness, empower bystanders to act, support survivors, and advance innovations that reduce preventable deaths from sudden cardiac arrest.