Early Action Saves Lives During Cardiac Emergencies
Posted in General | Tagged in American Heart Month, heart attack, cardiac arrest, EMT
When a cardiac emergency happens, every minute matters.
During sudden cardiac arrest, a person’s chance of survival drops with each passing second without care. Bystanders who recognize the signs, call 911, start CPR, and use an AED before emergency medical services arrive can be the difference between life and death.
At Gold Cross Ambulance Service, we see this reality every day. That’s why we’re committed not only to rapid, high-quality emergency response, but also to empowering community members to be part of the chain of survival during cardiac emergencies.
Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack: Know the Difference
Cardiac arrest and heart attacks are not the same, which means the response can differ.
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Symptoms such as chest pain or discomfort, pain in the jaw, neck or back, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and nausea or vomiting may be instant or could start slowly. It’s important to call 911 immediately to ensure EMS personnel arrive on scene to begin treatment and transport to the hospital.
Sudden cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating due to an electrical problem. Most often, someone collapses, isn’t breathing normally, or has no pulse. Cardiac arrest requires immediate action:
- Call 911
- Start CPR
- Use an AED if one is available
One thing remains the same no matter the type of cardiac emergency: always call 911. Even if you’re unsure of what is happening, it’s best to be safe and let medical professionals assess the situation and provide the appropriate care.
CPR and AEDs Are Critical to Survival
Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States and bystanders play a vital role in the chain of survival before EMS arrives on scene. Research shows that early CPR and AED use can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
In rural areas where EMS response times can be longer, having an AED nearby can be lifesaving.
Gold Cross Ambulance’s 2024 data reinforces this impact—36.6% of cardiac arrest survivors received bystander CPR, and 13.9% had a bystander apply an AED before first responders or EMS arrived on scene. Because early intervention saves lives, access and readiness matter.
Community Resources Strengthening the Chain of Survival
To ensure bystanders can act quickly and confidently, Gold Cross invests in community resources that strengthen every link in the chain of survival.
Through their HeartStart Foundation, Gold Cross distributes matching grants each year to place AEDs throughout northeastern Wisconsin. In 2025 alone, nearly $15,000 in matching grants were awarded to local schools, businesses, non-profit organizations and municipalities.
These efforts have resulted in the Fox Cities having the most AEDs per capita in Wisconsin! In Gold Cross’s service area, more than 62% of cardiac arrest patients will have an AED applied before EMS arrives.
Organizations interested in a matching grant to purchase and place an AED can learn more here.
In addition, we also offer TEAM CPR and AED training sessions for local organizations, ensuring employees and volunteers are ready to respond in an emergency. To inquire about scheduling, contact Amanda Corrao at acorrao@goldcross.org.
To better activate CPR and AED-trained citizens in our communities, Gold Cross funds access to the PulsePoint Respond app, which alerts CPR-trained individuals when a cardiac arrest is reported in a public place nearby and also shows the locations of the closest AEDs. Faster action leads to better outcomes, and PulsePoint helps strengthen that first link in the chain of survival. If you are CPR and/or AED trained, you can download the app for free, elect to receive those emergency notifications, and be a part of life-saving efforts in your community.
Nationally Recognized Cardiac Care
Empowering the community is only one part of the equation. The other is ensuring the highest level of care continues once EMS arrives.
Gold Cross is proud to be nationally recognized by the American Heart Association with a 2025 Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Award—the highest level possible—for our commitment to high-quality heart attack and stroke care.
We are one of only five EMS providers in Wisconsin to earn a spot on the Target: Heart Attack Honor Roll, reflecting our team’s continued excellence in cardiac emergency response.
When Minutes Matter, Action Saves Lives
In conclusion, survival is a team effort. It takes bystanders who act, dispatchers who guide, EMS who respond, and hospitals who continue care. Gold Cross is proud to be part of this team and to work alongside local organizations, healthcare systems, and community members to strengthen every link in the chain of survival.
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