The HEARTS Act Signed into Law: A Major Milestone in School Cardiac Safety
Earlier this week, President Biden signed the Cardiomyopathy, Health Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in Schools (HEARTS) Act (H.R. 6829) into law, marking a transformative step towards enhancing the safety and well-being of students and staff in schools across the United States. This landmark legislation mandates comprehensive measures to ensure schools are well-prepared to handle cardiac emergencies, significantly improving survival rates for children who experience cardiac arrest.
A Closer Look at the HEARTS Act
The HEARTS Act is a pivotal piece of legislation designed to address the urgent need for cardiac emergency preparedness in educational settings. With approximately 23,000 children experiencing cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year, the HEARTS Act focuses on three key areas:
- Cardiac Emergency Response Plans: Schools must develop and implement detailed plans to swiftly address cardiac emergencies.
- Training in CPR and AED Use: The law mandates CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training for both students and staff, ensuring they are equipped to respond effectively to cardiac arrest incidents.
- AED Accessibility: Financial resources are allocated to schools for acquiring AEDs and supporting equipment, ensuring they are adequately prepared for emergencies.
The Impact and Importance of the HEARTS Act
The HEARTS Act is a crucial response to the urgent need for improved cardiac emergency preparedness in schools. Cardiovascular events, such as sudden cardiac arrest, require immediate action, and the statistics are stark: only 40% of individuals experiencing cardiac arrest receive the necessary immediate assistance before emergency responders arrive. By ensuring schools have the resources and training to act swiftly, the HEARTS Act addresses this critical gap.
Incorporating provisions from the Access to AEDs Act, which received broad support from organizations like the American Heart Association and advocates such as NFL star Damar Hamlin, the HEARTS Act emphasizes the importance of having AEDs readily accessible in schools. Research shows that children who experience cardiac arrest in schools equipped with AEDs are seven times more likely to survive compared to those in schools without these life-saving devices.
A United Effort: the Role of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition and CoroMed
As a founding partner of the HEARTS Act, the Smart Heart Sports Coalition has been instrumental in advocating for cardiac emergency preparedness in schools. CoroMed, a preferred AED provider for the coalition, proudly supports this initiative by offering high-quality AEDs and training resources to schools nationwide. Through this partnership, CoroMed is committed to ensuring schools have the necessary tools to protect students and staff.
As a preferred AED provider of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, CoroMed is offering school and athletic bundles at significantly discounted prices to schools and youth sport organizations through the "AEDs for Youth" program. These bundles include FDA-approved AEDs, comprehensive training programs, and ongoing support to ensure schools are fully equipped to handle cardiac emergencies.
Moving Forward: Ensuring a Safer Future
With the HEARTS Act now signed into law, the focus shifts to implementation and support. Schools across the nation will begin developing and refining their cardiac emergency response plans, training staff and students in CPR and AED use, and acquiring the necessary equipment to ensure they are prepared for any cardiac emergency.
Stay informed with CoroMed for updates and ways to support the HEARTS Act and shop our School and Athletic AED Bundles to equip your
