Restart a Heart Day – Training community members on Hands Only CPR, Building a “Nation of Lifesavers” in India

Restart a Heart Day – Training community members on Hands Only CPR, Building a “Nation of Lifesavers” in India

New Delhi [India], October 17: As a part of World “Restart a Heart Day” a widespread initiative from six All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)–Mangalagiri, Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Deoghar, Bathinda, and Rishikesh– and the American Heart Association is seeking to improve outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest that occurs outside of the hospital. It is part of a larger effort, CPR Awareness Week, observed from 13 October to 17 October throughout India this year.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening emergency where the heart suddenly stops beating. A vast majority of these events occur outside hospitals and are referred to as Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests (OHCA). Without immediate intervention, brain death begins within 4-6 minutes due to lack of blood circulation. In such cases, time is brain–restoring blood flow before emergency services arrive can mean the difference between life and death.

Despite the critical importance of early intervention, global studies show that only 2.5% of people are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)–and in India, this number is even lower. With survival rates estimated at less than 10%, OHCA remains one of the leading causes of death in the country.

To address this urgent issue, Hands Only CPR (HOCPR) — where a layperson responds and performs CPR before medical help arrives–has proven to significantly improve survival outcomes. For teens and adults who suddenly collapse, HOCPR can be effective and life-saving. It involves chest

compressions without mouth-to-mouth breathing, making it easier for the public to perform.

Led by Dr. T.S. Ravikumar, Chairman of the Nation of Lifesavers India Program, and supported by Divay Trikha, American Heart Association Consultant, the collaborative aims to train 5,000 community members across six states on World Restart a Heart Day, observed globally on October 16, 2025.

This initiative embraces a model of distributed leadership across India’s diverse geographic, linguistic, and socioeconomic landscape. It begins with training local trainers, followed by extensive community outreach to raise awareness and equip citizens with life-saving HOCPR skills.

To date, the Nation of Lifesavers program has trained over 100,000 individuals. The goal is to expand this network of lifesavers, enlist more AIIMS as nodal centers, and empower communities to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies.

Together, this collaboration has the potential to save thousands of lives across India–one trained citizen at a time.

This has been possible with the unflinching support from the leadership and program leads of AIIMS Bathinda (Dr. Rakesh Kakkar), AIIMS Deoghar (Dr. Manuj Sarkar, AIIMS Mangalagiri (Dr Rajeev Aravindakshan, Dr. Dhrubajyoti Debnath and Dr. Navya Krishna N), AIIMS Bhubaneswar (Dr. Priyamadhaba Behera), AIIMS Raipur (Dr. Jayshri R Ghate) and AIIMS Rishikesh (Dr. Pradeep Aggarwal).

5 Health and Nutrition Tips That Are Actually Evidence-Based

5 Health and Nutrition Tips That Are Actually Evidence-Based

There are many conflicting opinions regarding nutrition and health, but there are also plenty of tips that are supported by research. Listed below are 5 of the most common wellness tips and why they’re backed by science. For instance, many people believe that liquid sugars don’t count as calories the way solid food does. This leads to a higher intake of calories in total. Another popular wellness tip: drinking soda does not count as a calorie, so it is difficult to determine how much you’ve consumed.

The American Heart Association advises avoiding processed, sugary drinks. While they are delicious and filling, these products contain many calories and do not benefit the body. Even if you don’t drink sodas, they are not healthy for you. Not only are they high in calories and fat, but they also contain high levels of calories.

The American Heart Association suggests that Americans avoid these foods to lower their risk of heart disease. However, you should avoid trans fats and eat a balanced diet that includes these healthy fats. Another health and nutrition tip is to eat more fruits and vegetables. Instead of sugary drinks, you should eat more whole grain bread, cereals, and whole grains. You should also include low-fat dairy products and protein from sources like eggs, beans, poultry without skin, seafood, and lean meats. In addition to these tips, you should also make sure to limit the intake of unhealthy foods. Another wellness tip is to avoid sugary drinks.

While soda isn’t the cause of heart disease, it is a source of added sugar. Despite what you’ve heard, the American Heart Association recommends limiting sugary drinks. But limiting sugary drinks should not be a priority. As much as possible, avoid drinking soda. Sodas can cause a range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Some wellness tips are based on research. For example, limiting the intake of sugary drinks is a major way to reduce the risk of heart disease. While eggs may not affect blood cholesterol, they are extremely nutritious and help lower the risk of heart disease. Some experts disagree on which foods are harmful and which ones aren’t. The main issue is that many people consume too many sugary drinks, which are not only unhealthy but also contribute to inflammation. The best health tips are the ones supported by research.

While many experts hold opposing views, others are supported by the science. For example, the American Heart Association believes that a high-fiber diet can lower blood cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease. In Europe, the American Heart Association recommends that eating more nuts and seeds is good for overall health. Soda does not contain protein. Rather, it contains no calories.