Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency in which the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), rapid emergency response, and early defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) are important factors in improving survival.
Utah’s latest available state-level data in the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) 2025 Annual Report provide a more current picture of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest than earlier state reports. Published in 2026, the report includes data from 2025, offering a useful evidence base for understanding cardiac arrest incidence, survival, bystander CPR, and public AED use in Utah.
This guide reviews the latest available Utah statistics, explains what the numbers mean, and examines how CPR education and AED access can help communities respond to cardiac emergencies.
Utah Cardiac Arrest Statistics: Latest Available Data
The CARES 2025 Annual Report provides the following state-level figures for Utah.
| Statistic | Utah Data | Reporting Year |
| Cardiac arrest cases reported to CARES | 1,951 | 2025 |
| Population covered by reporting | 98.2% | 2025 |
| Cardiac arrest incidence rate per 100,000 people | 56.7 | 2025 |
| Survival to hospital discharge | 11.9% | 2025 |
| Bystander CPR rate | 34.7% | 2025 |
| Utstein survival rate | 47.7% | 2025 |
| Public AED use rate | 12.5% | 2025 |
Source: CARES 2025 Annual Report
These figures describe reported, EMS-treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the CARES registry. They should not be interpreted as a count of every cardiac arrest in Utah, including cases that fall outside the registry’s reporting criteria.
The 2025 report is the most recent statewide dataset identified for this article as of October 2026. The figures are from 2025, even though the report was released in 2026.
How Many Cardiac Arrests Occur in Utah?
CARES recorded 1,951 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases in Utah in 2025. The registry’s reported population coverage was 98.2%, making the dataset broadly representative of the state’s population within the participating reporting system.
The reported incidence rate was 56.7 cases per 100,000 people. This is a standardized rate that helps researchers and emergency medical services agencies compare cardiac arrest occurrence across populations of different sizes.
These numbers offer a more current statewide baseline than Utah’s 2020 CARES report. However, the 1,951 cases should be described as cases reported to CARES, rather than a definitive count of all cardiac arrests that occurred in Utah.
What Is the Cardiac Arrest Survival Rate in Utah?
According to the CARES 2025 Annual Report, Utah’s overall survival-to-hospital-discharge rate for reported out-of-hospital cardiac arrests was 11.9%.
In practical terms, that corresponds to approximately 12 survivors for every 100 reported cases, based on the reported rate. It does not mean that every patient has the same likelihood of survival. Outcomes vary with factors such as whether the arrest was witnessed, the initial heart rhythm, how quickly CPR started, access to defibrillation, and subsequent medical care.
Understanding Utah’s 2025 Survival Statistics
| Measure | Utah, 2025 | What It Means |
| Overall survival to hospital discharge | 11.9% | Percentage of reported cases resulting in survival to discharge |
| Utstein survival | 47.7% | Survival among a defined subgroup of witnessed arrests with a shockable rhythm and bystander CPR, under the registry’s criteria |
The Utstein survival rate is not the survival rate for all cardiac arrest patients. It describes a selected group with characteristics associated with a greater likelihood of successful resuscitation. For that reason, it should be presented separately from overall survival.
Source: CARES 2025 Annual Report.
How Often Do Bystanders Perform CPR in Utah?
The CARES 2025 Annual Report recorded a bystander CPR rate of 34.7% for Utah. This means bystander CPR was documented in roughly one-third of reported cases under the registry’s measurement criteria.
Bystander CPR begins before emergency medical personnel take over. It helps maintain blood flow to the brain and other vital organs during cardiac arrest.
When a person suddenly collapses, is unresponsive, and is not breathing normally:
- Call 911 immediately, or tell someone nearby to call.
- Start chest compressions as soon as possible.
- Ask another person to retrieve an AED.
- Turn on the AED and follow its voice prompts when it arrives.
- Continue CPR and follow the AED’s instructions until emergency responders take over or the person shows signs of recovery.
For adults, compressions should be delivered in the center of the chest at a rate of 100–120 per minute. If you are untrained in rescue breaths, hands-only CPR is an appropriate immediate response for an adult who suddenly collapses.
AED Use in Utah: What the Latest Statistics Show
The CARES 2025 Annual Report recorded a public AED use rate of 12.5% for Utah. This is a registry measure of AED use in qualifying public-location cardiac arrest cases, not the percentage of all Utah cardiac arrests treated with an AED.
An automated external defibrillator analyzes the heart’s rhythm and provides a shock when indicated. Early defibrillation is especially important for certain shockable rhythms, including ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
Important AED Facts
- AEDs guide rescuers: Voice and visual instructions help users apply the pads and follow the device’s analysis and treatment prompts.
- CPR should not be delayed: Start chest compressions while another person retrieves an AED, when possible.
- Not every cardiac arrest requires a shock: The AED analyzes the rhythm and determines whether a shock is advised.
- Public access matters: Clearly marked AEDs in workplaces, schools, gyms, recreation facilities, and other public venues can reduce delays in finding a device.
- Maintenance matters: Organizations should inspect devices and replace batteries and electrode pads according to manufacturer guidance.
Utah’s 12.5% public AED use rate identifies an important area to monitor. It does not, by itself, show how many devices are available statewide or whether every public facility has adequate AED coverage.
What Salt Lake City Research Adds to the Picture
Statewide registry data provide a broad view of cardiac arrest outcomes, while local research helps explain patterns within individual communities.
A peer-reviewed study examined 894 adult, non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases handled by the Salt Lake City Fire Department from 2008 through 2023. The researchers reported an annual incidence rate of 76 cases per 100,000 person-years and survival to hospital discharge of 13.6% among the study population.
The study also reported return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in 37.3% of cases. ROSC means that a patient’s circulation has been restored; it is not equivalent to survival to hospital discharge.
These results complement the statewide CARES figures but should not be directly compared as if they measured identical populations. The study covers a particular city, a defined period, and specific eligibility criteria, whereas the CARES report uses state-level registry measures for 2025.
Source: Peer-reviewed Salt Lake City cardiac arrest study.
Why CPR Certification and AED Preparedness Matter
Utah’s 2025 data show that bystander CPR was documented in 34.7% of reported cases and public AED use was recorded at 12.5%. These figures highlight the importance of preparing people to act before emergency medical personnel arrive. CPR education is relevant to healthcare professionals, teachers, childcare providers, fitness instructors, workplace emergency teams, parents, and other community members.
The right course depends on the learner’s responsibilities. Basic CPR and AED courses support many workplace and community needs, while healthcare professionals often require Basic Life Support (BLS). Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is designed for eligible healthcare professionals involved in managing cardiovascular emergencies.
When choosing a course, check the credential required by your employer or professional regulator and confirm that the course includes any required hands-on skills assessment.
Improve Cardiac Arrest Survival in Utah Through CPR Certification
Utah’s 2025 cardiac arrest statistics highlight the importance of immediate CPR, early AED use, and rapid emergency response. With an overall survival rate of 11.9% and bystander CPR documented in 34.7% of reported cases, improving community preparedness is essential. Learning CPR and AED skills helps people respond confidently during cardiac emergencies and contributes to better survival outcomes across Utah.
Get CPR certified and help improve cardiac arrest survival rates across Utah. Join our American Heart Association (AHA) BLS certification classes to learn essential CPR and AED skills, or choose AHA ACLS and PALS courses for advanced training. Designed for busy professionals, our flexible courses let you complete the online portion at your own pace and attend a short, in-person skills session to earn your American Heart Association (AHA) certification quickly. Take the next step toward saving lives and building a better-prepared Utah community.
Sources and Further Reading
- CARES 2025 Annual Report and Metrics — Recent statewide Utah metrics and national cardiac arrest registry data.
- Salt Lake City Cardiac Arrest Research — Peer-reviewed research on local cardiac arrest incidence and outcomes from 2008–2023.
- Utah CARES 2020 Report — Historical Utah data for readers interested in earlier reporting.
- KSL: Beating the Odds, Best Ways to Survive Cardiac Arrest in Utah — Local reporting and context on cardiac arrest survival.
- Saving American Hearts: Utah Boosts CPR Training to Help Save Lives — Additional context on CPR education in Utah.
Utah’s latest available registry figures provide a useful baseline for evaluating cardiac arrest response and preparedness. Learning CPR, improving access to AEDs, and making emergency response plans clear can help communities respond more quickly when cardiac arrest occurs.
