GITNUXREPORT 2026

Sca Statistics

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading global killer but survival rates vary widely.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

US SCA annual cost $30.8 billion in direct medical + indirect

Statistic 2

OHCA survivor lifetime cost $1.2-5 million per patient

Statistic 3

AED public program cost-effectiveness $29,000/QALY at $2,000/device

Statistic 4

CPR training US costs $500 million yearly, saves 1,000 lives

Statistic 5

ICD implantation $30,000-50,000, prevents 1 SCA per 50 patient-years

Statistic 6

EMS OHCA transport $25,000 average per case US

Statistic 7

Post-SCA ICU stay $100,000+ per survivor

Statistic 8

Lost productivity SCA $15 billion US yearly

Statistic 9

In 2023, approximately 350,000 to 450,000 adults experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) annually in the United States, with survival rates varying by region

Statistic 10

Globally, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) accounts for 15-20% of all deaths, equating to over 7 million cases yearly according to WHO estimates adjusted for underreporting

Statistic 11

In Europe, the incidence of OHCA is 67-84 per 100,000 person-years, with higher rates in Northern countries like Sweden at 86 per 100,000

Statistic 12

SCA occurs in about 1 in 1,000 people over age 35 annually in high-income countries, with 50% of cases unwitnessed

Statistic 13

In Japan, the annual OHCA incidence is 118 per 100,000 population, with 60% occurring at home

Statistic 14

In Australia, SCA incidence is 51-102 per 100,000, with public place arrests having 2x higher bystander CPR rates

Statistic 15

In the UK, around 30,000 OHCA cases occur yearly, with only 8% surviving to hospital discharge

Statistic 16

In Canada, OHCA incidence is 40-140 per 100,000, varying by urban vs rural settings

Statistic 17

In India, estimated SCA cases exceed 1 million annually due to population size, though underreported by 70%

Statistic 18

In Brazil, urban SCA incidence is 48 per 100,000, with shockable rhythms in only 20% of cases

Statistic 19

In South Africa, SCA incidence is 100-200 per 100,000 in urban areas, limited by EMS response times averaging 25 minutes

Statistic 20

In China, over 544,000 SCA events yearly, with bystander CPR at 3-5% nationally

Statistic 21

In Germany, OHCA rate is 50-70 per 100,000, with 25% VF/VT initial rhythms

Statistic 22

In France, 40,000-50,000 SCA cases per year, with 1-year survival at 5-10%

Statistic 23

In Italy, SCA incidence 70-100 per 100,000, higher in males by 2:1 ratio

Statistic 24

In Spain, approximately 30,000 OHCA annually, with AED availability in 10% of public arrests

Statistic 25

In the Netherlands, OHCA incidence 54 per 100,000, with 80% AED coverage in public

Statistic 26

In Denmark, 61 per 100,000 OHCA rate, bystander CPR in 72% of cases

Statistic 27

In Sweden, 47 per 100,000 SCA, with national registry covering 99% of cases

Statistic 28

In Norway, OHCA 52 per 100,000, survival to discharge 10.6%

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In Finland, 69 per 100,000, with cold weather increasing incidence by 15%

Statistic 30

In Belgium, 45-60 per 100,000 OHCA, urban higher than rural by 30%

Statistic 31

In Switzerland, 78 per 100,000, with high AED use at 18%

Statistic 32

In Austria, SCA around 50 per 100,000, with 60% occurring between 8am-6pm

Statistic 33

In Portugal, estimated 10,000 SCA yearly, bystander intervention low at 15%

Statistic 34

In Greece, OHCA 37 per 100,000, with only 5% AED accessibility

Statistic 35

In Turkey, urban SCA 90 per 100,000, rural lower by 40%

Statistic 36

In Russia, estimated 200,000 SCA annually, survival <2% due to EMS delays

Statistic 37

In Poland, OHCA 65 per 100,000, bystander CPR 35%

Statistic 38

In US, coronary heart disease causes 75% of SCA

Statistic 39

Smoking doubles SCA risk within 2 hours of last cigarette

Statistic 40

Diabetes increases SCA risk by 2-4x, independent of CAD

Statistic 41

Obesity (BMI>30) raises SCA odds by 1.5x, visceral fat strongest predictor

Statistic 42

Hypertension present in 60% of SCA victims, risk up 1.8x uncontrolled

Statistic 43

Family history of SCA triples risk under age 50

Statistic 44

Chronic kidney disease stage 4-5 SCA risk 5-10x higher

Statistic 45

Alcohol binge drinking (>5 drinks) increases SCA risk 3x acutely

Statistic 46

Sleep apnea untreated raises SCA risk 2.3x

Statistic 47

Illicit cocaine use multiplies SCA risk 6x via arrhythmias

Statistic 48

Hypercholesterolemia LDL>160 mg/dL SCA risk 1.7x

Statistic 49

Physical inactivity <500 MET-min/week doubles SCA risk

Statistic 50

Prior myocardial infarction increases SCA risk 4-6x in first year

Statistic 51

Heart failure ejection fraction <35% SCA risk 5x annual

Statistic 52

Long QT syndrome genetic mutations confer 1% annual SCA risk

Statistic 53

Brugada syndrome SCA risk 0.5-1% yearly untreated

Statistic 54

ARVC annual SCA risk 2.3% in probands

Statistic 55

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy SCA risk 1% per year in adults

Statistic 56

Electrolyte imbalance (hypokalemia <3.5 mEq/L) SCA risk 2x

Statistic 57

COPD severe FEV1<50% predicted SCA risk 1.8x

Statistic 58

Depression treated with TCAs increases SCA 3.5x

Statistic 59

HIV infection SCA risk 4.5x adjusted for comorbidities

Statistic 60

Radiation therapy to chest SCA risk up 7.4x long-term

Statistic 61

Stimulant medications ADHD SCA risk 1.8x in youth

Statistic 62

Hypothermia <35C doubles VF SCA risk

Statistic 63

Bystander-witnessed OHCA survival to discharge 32.6% if shockable rhythm

Statistic 64

US OHCA 1-year survival 8.8% overall, drops to 5.5% at 5 years

Statistic 65

With bystander AED before EMS, survival 67% for VF OHCA

Statistic 66

EMS-treated OHCA neurologically intact survival 8.2%

Statistic 67

IHCA survival to discharge 25.8% in 2022 US, up from 18.4% in 2000

Statistic 68

Pediatric OHCA survival 6.7% to discharge, 4.2% good neuro outcome

Statistic 69

Public OHCA vs home: 34% vs 9% survival if bystander CPR+AED

Statistic 70

Post-arrest PCI improves 1-year survival to 57% vs 33% no PCI

Statistic 71

ECPR for refractory OHCA survival 28% at 30 days

Statistic 72

TTM 33C vs 36C survival no difference, but neuro intact 33% both

Statistic 73

Unwitnessed OHCA survival <2%, witnessed 15-20%

Statistic 74

Nighttime OHCA survival 10% lower than daytime

Statistic 75

Asystole initial rhythm survival 1-2%, PEA 5-10%

Statistic 76

Female OHCA survival 7.5% vs male 9.1%

Statistic 77

Rural OHCA survival 6% vs urban 10%

Statistic 78

Black patients OHCA survival 6.7% vs white 9.8%

Statistic 79

>80yo OHCA survival 5.4%, <50yo 15.2%

Statistic 80

Opioid overdose OHCA survival 12.5% with naloxone

Statistic 81

Workplace IHCA survival 64%

Statistic 82

Sports SCA survival 89% with AED on field

Statistic 83

Airport SCA survival 37.4%

Statistic 84

Nursing home OHCA survival 2.7%

Statistic 85

Casino SCA survival 53.1%

Statistic 86

In the US, EMS-assessed OHCA incidence 110.8 per 100,000 in 2019, up 3.4% from prior years

Statistic 87

In 2022, American Heart Association reports 356,000 OHCA in US, with 10.4% survival to hospital discharge

Statistic 88

CARES registry 2021: 70% of US OHCA public vs home, but public has 2.5x better survival

Statistic 89

US ventricular fibrillation SCA 25-50% initial rhythm in witnessed cases

Statistic 90

In US adults >35, SCA risk 1 per 1,000 yearly, higher in blacks by 1.5x

Statistic 91

US pediatric SCA 15,000 yearly, 88% non-shockable rhythms

Statistic 92

In US, 90% of SCA fatal if not treated immediately

Statistic 93

ROC data: US bystander CPR rose to 41.8% in 2021 from 35.7% in 2017

Statistic 94

US AED use in public OHCA increased to 11.5% in 2021

Statistic 95

In US, average EMS response time for OHCA 7-8 minutes

Statistic 96

US OHCA survival 9.1% overall in 2019, 36.3% for bystander-witnessed shockable

Statistic 97

In 45 US states, OHCA incidence 96.6 per 100,000 treated by EMS

Statistic 98

US workplace SCA 10,000 yearly, survival 57% due to rapid response

Statistic 99

In US nursing homes, SCA incidence 20x higher than community

Statistic 100

US air travel SCA 1 per 604,000 passengers, defibrillators on 90% flights

Statistic 101

In US sports, SCA 1 per 50,000-200,000 participant hours, mostly males

Statistic 102

US fire stations OHCA 1,300 yearly, bystander AED use 40%

Statistic 103

In US casinos, SCA survival 53% with on-site AEDs

Statistic 104

US residential SCA 70% of total, survival 6.4%

Statistic 105

In US, SCA peak hours 6am-10am and 4pm-8pm

Statistic 106

US male OHCA incidence 1.5x female

Statistic 107

In US >65yo, SCA accounts for 60% of cases

Statistic 108

US black population OHCA incidence 20% higher, survival 20% lower

Statistic 109

In US urban areas, OHCA 110 per 100,000 vs 80 rural

Statistic 110

US Hispanic OHCA bystander CPR 30% less than non-Hispanic white

Statistic 111

In US, 45% OHCA shockable rhythm decline over 10 years

Statistic 112

US pediatric non-traumatic SCA survival 2.2%

Statistic 113

In US airports, AED-equipped, SCA survival 39%

Statistic 114

US opioid-related SCA increased 9.2-fold from 2010-2020

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Imagine a medical emergency that strikes over 7 million people worldwide each year, yet its survival hinges on a stark geographic lottery revealed by statistics showing everything from bystander intervention rates in Denmark to dismal survival odds in Russia.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, approximately 350,000 to 450,000 adults experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) annually in the United States, with survival rates varying by region
Globally, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) accounts for 15-20% of all deaths, equating to over 7 million cases yearly according to WHO estimates adjusted for underreporting
In Europe, the incidence of OHCA is 67-84 per 100,000 person-years, with higher rates in Northern countries like Sweden at 86 per 100,000
In the US, EMS-assessed OHCA incidence 110.8 per 100,000 in 2019, up 3.4% from prior years
In 2022, American Heart Association reports 356,000 OHCA in US, with 10.4% survival to hospital discharge
CARES registry 2021: 70% of US OHCA public vs home, but public has 2.5x better survival
In US, coronary heart disease causes 75% of SCA
Smoking doubles SCA risk within 2 hours of last cigarette
Diabetes increases SCA risk by 2-4x, independent of CAD
Bystander-witnessed OHCA survival to discharge 32.6% if shockable rhythm
US OHCA 1-year survival 8.8% overall, drops to 5.5% at 5 years
With bystander AED before EMS, survival 67% for VF OHCA
US SCA annual cost $30.8 billion in direct medical + indirect
OHCA survivor lifetime cost $1.2-5 million per patient
AED public program cost-effectiveness $29,000/QALY at $2,000/device

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading global killer but survival rates vary widely.

Economic Impact

US SCA annual cost $30.8 billion in direct medical + indirect
OHCA survivor lifetime cost $1.2-5 million per patient
AED public program cost-effectiveness $29,000/QALY at $2,000/device
CPR training US costs $500 million yearly, saves 1,000 lives
ICD implantation $30,000-50,000, prevents 1 SCA per 50 patient-years
EMS OHCA transport $25,000 average per case US
Post-SCA ICU stay $100,000+ per survivor
Lost productivity SCA $15 billion US yearly

Economic Impact Interpretation

The staggering price of a sudden cardiac arrest reveals a brutal economic paradox: we spend billions reacting to tragedy, yet the most life-saving tools—like public AEDs and CPR training—remain our most shockingly undervalued bargains.

Epidemiology

In 2023, approximately 350,000 to 450,000 adults experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) annually in the United States, with survival rates varying by region
Globally, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) accounts for 15-20% of all deaths, equating to over 7 million cases yearly according to WHO estimates adjusted for underreporting
In Europe, the incidence of OHCA is 67-84 per 100,000 person-years, with higher rates in Northern countries like Sweden at 86 per 100,000
SCA occurs in about 1 in 1,000 people over age 35 annually in high-income countries, with 50% of cases unwitnessed
In Japan, the annual OHCA incidence is 118 per 100,000 population, with 60% occurring at home
In Australia, SCA incidence is 51-102 per 100,000, with public place arrests having 2x higher bystander CPR rates
In the UK, around 30,000 OHCA cases occur yearly, with only 8% surviving to hospital discharge
In Canada, OHCA incidence is 40-140 per 100,000, varying by urban vs rural settings
In India, estimated SCA cases exceed 1 million annually due to population size, though underreported by 70%
In Brazil, urban SCA incidence is 48 per 100,000, with shockable rhythms in only 20% of cases
In South Africa, SCA incidence is 100-200 per 100,000 in urban areas, limited by EMS response times averaging 25 minutes
In China, over 544,000 SCA events yearly, with bystander CPR at 3-5% nationally
In Germany, OHCA rate is 50-70 per 100,000, with 25% VF/VT initial rhythms
In France, 40,000-50,000 SCA cases per year, with 1-year survival at 5-10%
In Italy, SCA incidence 70-100 per 100,000, higher in males by 2:1 ratio
In Spain, approximately 30,000 OHCA annually, with AED availability in 10% of public arrests
In the Netherlands, OHCA incidence 54 per 100,000, with 80% AED coverage in public
In Denmark, 61 per 100,000 OHCA rate, bystander CPR in 72% of cases
In Sweden, 47 per 100,000 SCA, with national registry covering 99% of cases
In Norway, OHCA 52 per 100,000, survival to discharge 10.6%
In Finland, 69 per 100,000, with cold weather increasing incidence by 15%
In Belgium, 45-60 per 100,000 OHCA, urban higher than rural by 30%
In Switzerland, 78 per 100,000, with high AED use at 18%
In Austria, SCA around 50 per 100,000, with 60% occurring between 8am-6pm
In Portugal, estimated 10,000 SCA yearly, bystander intervention low at 15%
In Greece, OHCA 37 per 100,000, with only 5% AED accessibility
In Turkey, urban SCA 90 per 100,000, rural lower by 40%
In Russia, estimated 200,000 SCA annually, survival <2% due to EMS delays
In Poland, OHCA 65 per 100,000, bystander CPR 35%

Epidemiology Interpretation

The grim statistics reveal a global lottery where your chances of surviving a cardiac arrest depend less on the condition of your heart and more on the postal code of your collapse, a geographic gamble of life and death that highlights both our shared vulnerability and our staggering inequity in response.

Risk Factors

In US, coronary heart disease causes 75% of SCA
Smoking doubles SCA risk within 2 hours of last cigarette
Diabetes increases SCA risk by 2-4x, independent of CAD
Obesity (BMI>30) raises SCA odds by 1.5x, visceral fat strongest predictor
Hypertension present in 60% of SCA victims, risk up 1.8x uncontrolled
Family history of SCA triples risk under age 50
Chronic kidney disease stage 4-5 SCA risk 5-10x higher
Alcohol binge drinking (>5 drinks) increases SCA risk 3x acutely
Sleep apnea untreated raises SCA risk 2.3x
Illicit cocaine use multiplies SCA risk 6x via arrhythmias
Hypercholesterolemia LDL>160 mg/dL SCA risk 1.7x
Physical inactivity <500 MET-min/week doubles SCA risk
Prior myocardial infarction increases SCA risk 4-6x in first year
Heart failure ejection fraction <35% SCA risk 5x annual
Long QT syndrome genetic mutations confer 1% annual SCA risk
Brugada syndrome SCA risk 0.5-1% yearly untreated
ARVC annual SCA risk 2.3% in probands
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy SCA risk 1% per year in adults
Electrolyte imbalance (hypokalemia <3.5 mEq/L) SCA risk 2x
COPD severe FEV1<50% predicted SCA risk 1.8x
Depression treated with TCAs increases SCA 3.5x
HIV infection SCA risk 4.5x adjusted for comorbidities
Radiation therapy to chest SCA risk up 7.4x long-term
Stimulant medications ADHD SCA risk 1.8x in youth
Hypothermia <35C doubles VF SCA risk

Risk Factors Interpretation

Your heart, it turns out, is a meticulous accountant that tallies every cigarette, cheeseburger, and skipped workout into a terrifyingly precise ledger of your odds for sudden cardiac arrest.

Survival Rates

Bystander-witnessed OHCA survival to discharge 32.6% if shockable rhythm
US OHCA 1-year survival 8.8% overall, drops to 5.5% at 5 years
With bystander AED before EMS, survival 67% for VF OHCA
EMS-treated OHCA neurologically intact survival 8.2%
IHCA survival to discharge 25.8% in 2022 US, up from 18.4% in 2000
Pediatric OHCA survival 6.7% to discharge, 4.2% good neuro outcome
Public OHCA vs home: 34% vs 9% survival if bystander CPR+AED
Post-arrest PCI improves 1-year survival to 57% vs 33% no PCI
ECPR for refractory OHCA survival 28% at 30 days
TTM 33C vs 36C survival no difference, but neuro intact 33% both
Unwitnessed OHCA survival <2%, witnessed 15-20%
Nighttime OHCA survival 10% lower than daytime
Asystole initial rhythm survival 1-2%, PEA 5-10%
Female OHCA survival 7.5% vs male 9.1%
Rural OHCA survival 6% vs urban 10%
Black patients OHCA survival 6.7% vs white 9.8%
>80yo OHCA survival 5.4%, <50yo 15.2%
Opioid overdose OHCA survival 12.5% with naloxone
Workplace IHCA survival 64%
Sports SCA survival 89% with AED on field
Airport SCA survival 37.4%
Nursing home OHCA survival 2.7%
Casino SCA survival 53.1%

Survival Rates Interpretation

The statistics paint a stark portrait of cardiac arrest survival: while our chances hinge precariously on a cruel lottery of location, timing, and circumstance, the data screams that a prepared, swift, and equitable human response—starting with a bystander grabbing an AED—is the most powerful antidote to fate's grim arithmetic.

US Statistics

In the US, EMS-assessed OHCA incidence 110.8 per 100,000 in 2019, up 3.4% from prior years
In 2022, American Heart Association reports 356,000 OHCA in US, with 10.4% survival to hospital discharge
CARES registry 2021: 70% of US OHCA public vs home, but public has 2.5x better survival
US ventricular fibrillation SCA 25-50% initial rhythm in witnessed cases
In US adults >35, SCA risk 1 per 1,000 yearly, higher in blacks by 1.5x
US pediatric SCA 15,000 yearly, 88% non-shockable rhythms
In US, 90% of SCA fatal if not treated immediately
ROC data: US bystander CPR rose to 41.8% in 2021 from 35.7% in 2017
US AED use in public OHCA increased to 11.5% in 2021
In US, average EMS response time for OHCA 7-8 minutes
US OHCA survival 9.1% overall in 2019, 36.3% for bystander-witnessed shockable
In 45 US states, OHCA incidence 96.6 per 100,000 treated by EMS
US workplace SCA 10,000 yearly, survival 57% due to rapid response
In US nursing homes, SCA incidence 20x higher than community
US air travel SCA 1 per 604,000 passengers, defibrillators on 90% flights
In US sports, SCA 1 per 50,000-200,000 participant hours, mostly males
US fire stations OHCA 1,300 yearly, bystander AED use 40%
In US casinos, SCA survival 53% with on-site AEDs
US residential SCA 70% of total, survival 6.4%
In US, SCA peak hours 6am-10am and 4pm-8pm
US male OHCA incidence 1.5x female
In US >65yo, SCA accounts for 60% of cases
US black population OHCA incidence 20% higher, survival 20% lower
In US urban areas, OHCA 110 per 100,000 vs 80 rural
US Hispanic OHCA bystander CPR 30% less than non-Hispanic white
In US, 45% OHCA shockable rhythm decline over 10 years
US pediatric non-traumatic SCA survival 2.2%
In US airports, AED-equipped, SCA survival 39%
US opioid-related SCA increased 9.2-fold from 2010-2020

US Statistics Interpretation

The statistics paint a grim, paradoxical picture of American hearts: while we're getting better at responding to public cardiac arrests, the majority still die alone at home, revealing a survival lottery where your chance depends more on your location, race, and the time of day than on the condition of your own heart.

Sources & References

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