Public reference
Current national figures on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, bystander response, and public AED use. Every number links to the original source and reporting year.
At a glance
These figures describe different parts of the same public-health challenge: where cardiac arrests happen, how often bystanders act, and why a visible, maintained AED can matter. The measures are not interchangeable, so each statistic includes its own scope and reporting year.
380,349
This count reflects 2023 U.S. mortality data and is not the same measure as emergency-medical-services-treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
American Heart Association 2026 Statistics Update ↗356,000+
The CDC uses this annual estimate to describe cardiac arrests that happen outside a hospital.
CDC, Cardiac Arrest overview (2024) ↗10.5%
This is the overall result for EMS-treated, non-traumatic adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in 2024 U.S. data.
American Heart Association 2026 Statistics Update ↗42%
The figure applies to adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in 2024 U.S. data.
American Heart Association 2026 Statistics Update ↗12.6%
The figure applies to adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in 2024 U.S. data.
American Heart Association 2026 Statistics Update ↗71.0%
Public settings accounted for 18.0% and nursing homes for 11.1% of adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in 2024 U.S. data.
American Heart Association 2026 Statistics Update ↗18.0%
This share is from 2024 U.S. adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest data; nursing homes accounted for another 11.1%.
American Heart Association 2026 Statistics Update ↗7% to 10%
The FDA describes defibrillation as time-sensitive for a person who remains in a life-threatening arrhythmia.
FDA, How AEDs in Public Places Can Restart Hearts (2022) ↗What it means
A public-access AED needs a known location, current pads and battery, and a simple inspection routine. The data on bystander CPR and AED use show why access and upkeep deserve attention alongside the device itself.
Most adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home, while public locations account for a meaningful share. Workplaces, schools, gyms, and community spaces need a location plan that makes an AED easy to find when seconds matter.
Local requirements, building layout, population, and response plans vary. Use this page as a factual starting point, then confirm the practical details for the people and place you are protecting.
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Methodology and sources
This page uses national figures from named public-health and medical-device sources. Each statistic above links to the source that supports it. Reporting years vary by measure, and no figures have been combined or estimated.
AED Ready Now. “Cardiac Arrest and AED Statistics: U.S. Facts for 2026.” Updated July 14, 2026. https://aedreadynow.com/cardiac-arrest-aed-statistics