The American Heart Association is using Pride Month to call on LGBTQ+ communities and allies to learn Hands-Only CPR, emphasizing that the skill could save the life of someone they love. The initiative, part of the Association's Pride With Heart program, highlights that LGBTQ+ adults face higher risks to heart health due to stigma, discrimination, and chronic stress, according to research cited by the Association.
Each year, more than 350,000 people in the U.S. experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and 9 out of 10 do not survive, often because help does not arrive fast enough. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival, yet many bystanders hesitate or do not know what to do. The Association's scientific statement on cardiovascular health for transgender and gender diverse people also calls for improved training, systems, and culturally responsive care to better support LGBTQ+ individuals across their lifespan.
“More than 20 million LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. face higher risks to their heart health, influenced by both clinical and social drivers of health,” said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health. “By learning Hands-Only CPR and encouraging others to do the same, communities can help close gaps in emergency response and ensure more people are prepared to act when it matters most.”
Hands-Only CPR is easy to learn and remember. It involves two simple steps: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute until help arrives. The Association provides resources to learn CPR at heart.org/cpr and to find a course near you at cpr.heart.org.
Year-round, the Association stands with the LGBTQ+ community by funding innovative research, advocating for public health, and sharing lifesaving resources like CPR education and training. More information about Pride With Heart is available at heart.org.
