Go Red: Life-Saving CPR

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, but knowing how to and administering CPR when heart attacks happen can save lives. This year, the American Heart Association's Go Red movement celebrates 20 years of working to improve the heart health of all women through education and research.

One nurse tells WSBT 22 she is here today thanks to a friend who knew to do CPR right away.

It was in a hospital hallway on December 11th, as nurses Beth Wall and Becky Athey walked together to start their shifts at Goshen Health, when Beth suffered a massive heart attack.

Beth says, "We walked in together and I told her my back is really killing me and I feel kind of dizzy, and in the middle of dizzy I blacked out. That's the last thing I remember."

That's when Becky jumped into action. She says, "I think most of what went through my head is - is this happening? Are we doing this? We're doing this. And I just started CPR, and I just turned on nurse-brain at that point in time because I didn't stop CPR until someone literally pushed me out of the way."

As medical staff took over, Becky made sure to stay right by Beth’s side. Becky says, "When I was off to the side, I was crying because... it was my Beth. It’s my best work friend. Even one of my best friend’s period."

More than 350,000 people suffer cardiac arrest each year. According to the American Heart Association, fewer than half of those people get immediate CPR and, unfortunately, 90% die.

If someone performs CPR immediately, the AHA says it more than doubles your chance of survival.

Beth remarks, "Oh, it saved my life. I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be here. It’s only by the grace of God and my angel Becky."

Looking back, Beth says there were signs leading up to her heart attack, like a back pain that she felt on and off for weeks.

Beth says, "I always put off my health because I was more focused on everybody else - all my loved ones. We worry about our children. As our children grow up, then our parents and other family members as they become older. We’re focused on taking care of others, and now I realize I have to care for myself first - not as a selfish thing - but so that I’m able to take care of them.”

This, just as Beth's coworker took care of her.

Becky comments, "Just having the basics of CPR and being able to do something is important. Whether it’s the highest quality CPR - doing something is important. Doing chest compressions before help can get there is important. It could save a life."

They are two friends - now one a survivor and the other a hero.

If there was ever a right time and place to have a heart attack it was in a hospital with a cardiac nurse by her side, but it doesn't usually work out that way. The American Heart Association's goal is to create what it calls "a nation of lifesavers" with at least one person in every household knowing how to do hands-only CPR.