Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, impacting countless families across the nation. In Eugene, the journey toward becoming a Citizen CPR Foundation HEARTsafe Community began with former Paramedic, Joshua Moore, as a simple goal—educate as many people about sudden cardiac arrest as possible. However, through partnership with the PeaceHealth Chest Pain Program, this effort quickly evolved into a mission to create a safer, more informed community with far-reaching impacts.
The Citizen CPR Foundation offers a designation known as “HEARTSafe Community” to areas that meet 13 specific requirements, all focused on enhancing the community’s cardiac arrest response capabilities. This initiative became deeply personal for many involved. Once cardiac emergencies touch your life, the importance of knowing what to do becomes clear. Many have lost loved ones to heart disease, and their stories drive their passion for the cause.
The HEARTsafe initiative in Eugene and Springfield has brought together various organizations and individuals to create a comprehensive approach to cardiac safety. Partnerships have been formed with Oregon CPR, Lane Community College, Kidsports, the University of Oregon, and local police departments. These collaborations are vital in ensuring everyone in the community is involved and prepared.
One of the most active community contributors to this effort is Lane Leader, Katrina Purdy from Oregon CPR, whose energy and dedication have been instrumental in helping drive the initiative forward. Her work extends beyond Eugene and Springfield, as she collaborates with South Lane HEARTsafe and Chief Raade to bring similar initiatives to the south of Lane County. Katrina has been entrusted with leadership responsibilities for HEARTsafe in Cottage Grove, including coordinating HEARTsafe events and campuses designations.
Education is a cornerstone of the HEARTsafe initiative and PeaceHealth’s American College of Cardiology (ACC) Chest Pain Accreditation. Community members are offered free online classes from the ACC to learn about heart function and recognize heart attack symptoms and they are offered free in-person HEARTsafe classes to understand the difference between heart attacks and cardiac arrests and how to respond. This knowledge is crucial because most people don’t realize they’re having a heart attack, especially women, who may experience different symptoms than men and heart attack can quickly turn into cardiac arrest. During extended educational sessions, participants learn that the heart is essentially a pump powered by electrical signals that control its rate and rhythm. Any disruption in these signals can affect the flow of blood and, consequently, the health of the body’s tissues. Understanding the basics of heart function helps people recognize when something is wrong and take appropriate action.
The HEARTsafe initiative in Eugene and Springfield is more than just a project; it’s a community-wide commitment and collaboration to saving lives. By fostering a culture of preparedness and ensuring that everyone in the community is equipped to respond to cardiac emergencies, Eugene Springfield is on its way to becoming a model HEARTsafe community. The collaborative efforts of local organizations, passionate individuals like Katrina, and the broader community are paving the way for a safer and more heart-conscious future.
Thank you to Megan from PeaceHealth’s Chest Pain Center for the informative presentation on HEARTsafe and also how to recognize when someone is having a heart attack vs. in cardiac arrest as well as education about our heart and how it functions. We all know a little more about the heart, and how to save one.