Cardiac arrest is one of the most common causes of mortality in Australia. Health experts believe thousands of deaths can be prevented if the public are aware of the basic information about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

According to an ABC report, only 9 percent of people who had cardiac arrests survive. The survival rate for the rest of the world is 50 percent.

A new campaign is being launched in Australia to prevent fatalities from cardiac arrests. This happens when the heart stops pumping blood necessary for body circulation. It can be triggered by trauma, drowning, ceryain drugs or heart attack. As these conditions exist, there is a possibility of death among Australians, according to reports.

Paul Middleton, an associate professor and an emergency medicine expert for Sydney's Manly Hospital, will lead the campaign to improve the survival rate of Australians in case of a cardiac arrest.

He said the estimated number of people who die from cardiac arrest range from 20,000 to 30,000. Compared to Australia's 9 percent, the U.S.' Seattle has 56 percent survival rate. Middleton said 75 percent of the whole community is trained in CPR.

Take Heart Australia is a new organization launched in an attempt to duplicate Seattle's success. Middleton believes defibrillator machines can help but having CPR training is "just as important."

He said every person can save a life by using their arms. He added if 50 percent of Australia's population has CPR training, thousands of lives can be saved.

Defibrillators will be installed everywhere which can be linked with an emergency number. It will be linked to Australia's 000 number so operators will know the patient's location.

Over one million Australians with the average age of 45 were found prone to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. National Heart Foundation Director of Cardiovascular Health Dr. Robert Grenfell said the numbers showed more than one million Australians were at risk of stroke and heart attack.

Dr. Grenfell cited the more risk factors a person has, the higher the chances of having a stroke.