Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, and survival often depends on quick action from the people nearby. Today, on World Restart a Heart Day, the American Heart Association is encouraging everyone to be prepared to recognize an emergency, call 9-1-1, begin CPR and use an AED when available. Despite the critical role bystanders play, many people still hesitate because they believe CPR should only be performed by trained medical professionals.

Everyone can help create a culture of lifesaving action by learning CPR, sharing stories that inspire others to act, advocating for Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in workplaces and community settings, and encouraging friends, family and coworkers to learn CPR and AED skills. The simple steps included in the full article can help ensure more people are ready and confident to respond during a cardiac emergency.

The American Heart Association, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary group of experts, is inviting health care professionals to participate in a brief Cardiac Arrest Recovery and Survivorship Needs Assessment Survey. This 10-minute confidential survey, based on the 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC, aims to gather valuable insights on implementation of best practices, challenges, and resource needs related to post resuscitation
care.

Feedback from health care professionals will directly inform the development of future tools and resources to strengthen patient outcomes and support care teams across the continuum.

Please consider sharing this opportunity with colleagues involved in post-resuscitation care and discharge planning to help amplify impact.

Thank you for lending your time and expertise.

World Stroke Day is October 29. This special day is also an opportunity to let stroke survivors, their families, and caregivers know about the availability of the Stroke Family Warmline. An American Stroke Association team member staffs this dedicated phone line to provide support and helpful information to stroke survivors and caregivers. Call the Stroke Family Warmline between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday at 1-888-4-STROKE (1-888-478-7653). Bilingual support is now available! Visit the  program’s webpage to learn more.

 A Stroke at 22 Changed Her Future, Not Her Purpose

At 22, Marcella Prokop felt like her future was wide open. A recent journalism graduate with dreams of seeing her byline in major publications, she was spending a winter day ice fishing with her family when a sudden, severe headache changed everything. After struggling to complete a simple task, her father recognized something was wrong and suspected a stroke. Tests later revealed a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a tangle of abnormal blood vessels in her brain that caused a massive brain bleed. Marcella underwent emergency surgery and spent time in a medically induced coma, facing an uncertain future and a long road to recovery.

Determined to rebuild her life, Marcella relearned basic skills, overcame memory challenges, and persevered through setbacks, including seizures and the difficult decision to leave behind her dream of becoming a journalist. Over time, she found new purpose through teaching, storytelling, and advocacy. Today, Marcella lives in South Dakota with her husband and son, works in higher education, and continues to write, including a memoir about life after stroke. By sharing her story , she hopes to inspire other survivors and remind them that healing, growth, and a meaningful future are possible after stroke.