Qld revealed as safest place to have a heart attack
New data shows Queensland paramedics are leading the nation when it comes to patients surviving a heart attack after the state’s ambulance service launched a cardiac arrest action plan.
Emergency Services
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Queensland may just about be the best place in Australia to have a heart attack.
New data shows sunshine state paramedics are leading the nation when it comes to successfully reviving cardiac arrest patients.
Cardiac arrest survival rates in Queensland where paramedics were on scene have risen from 49.4 per cent in 2018-19 to 61.8 per cent in 2023-24, the Queensland Ambulance Service figures reveal.
Queensland already had the best survival rate for “paramedic-witnessed” cardiac arrests, which were 58.6 per cent in 2022-23 compared with the next best state, Tasmania (55.6 per cent).
The QAS said the increase meant 12 more lives were saved for every 100 treated.
The survival rate for cardiac arrest patients treated by bystanders before paramedics arrived has also improved, from 48.3 per cent to 50.6 per cent in 2023-24.
Crystal Nelson, QAS acting director of professional standards, said the figures showed Queensland was leading the way in pre-hospital cardiac arrest management.
Ms Nelson said the data also highlighted the importance of early intervention, including knowing the early signs of cardiac arrest and how to perform CPR.
“It’s very important people call triple-0 (000) in the early stages of heart attack
symptoms, such as chest pain, to give themselves or their loved ones the best
chance of survival,” she said.
“As cardiac arrest outcomes continue to improve thanks to bystander intervention
and paramedic resuscitation, more and more Queenslanders have the chance make
it home to their family.”
The QAS launched a cardiac arrest “action plan” last year to boost survival chances, including public CPR training and improved access to defibrillators.
Paramedics will on Friday reunite with Gold Coast construction worker Todd Foley, who collapsed on a Main Beach job site in March but was given CPR by workmates until an ambulance arrived.
“As a result of this crucial chain of survival from the initial scene through to hospital
care, Todd has made a full recovery and has returned to life as normal,” Ms Nelson said.
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