Take Heart - Minnesota

Welcome to Take Heart Minnesota

Take Heart Minnesota is a non-profit organization that operates entirely on philanthropic support.
Our mission is to promote the coordinated delivery of several proven therapies that, when used in combination, have the capacity to improve the survival rate of victims who suffer out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. Our goal is to increase the survival rate from its current 5 percent to more than 20 percent. Learn more...

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

This occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. It is commonly due to an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF), in which the electrical signals that regulate the pumping action of the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart go haywire. With the ventricles unable to pump blood to the organs and brain, the heart stops beating. If CPR is not given and the heart is not shocked back into regular rhythm with an AED, the body and the brain are deprived of oxygen and death results.

For more information:

American Heart Association	American Red Cross
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association	Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation