Study: Survival Rate Low For Heart Attacks In Suffolk County
HAUPPAUGE, NY (WCBS 880) - If you have heart problems, you might want to stay away from the eastern half of Long Island.
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According to Suffolk County's regional EMS council, only two percent of people treated by EMTs for cardiac arrests leave the hospital without serious health problems.
The study goes on to say the chances of surviving are worse in Suffolk County than the rest of the country.
One problem is that, compared to other parts of the country, in Suffolk County, a lower percentage of bystanders attempt CPR.
Medical expert Dr. Ken Stier says public CPR training classes could help the county's success rate.
"Even if you're able to resuscitate someone after four minutes, they often have significant brain damage," he told WCBS 880 reporter Sophia Hall.
A county spokesperson said the EMTs in Suffolk are volunteers and must cover a very large area.
