Damar Hamlin and Dr. Mike Break CPR World Record

During the NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa., American Heart Association instructors taught 1,293 people Hands-Only CPR in one hour, earning a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title and expanding the Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers movement.

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills and social media star Dr. Mike set a lofty goal for a good cause. More than half the people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital do not get CPR before emergency responders arrive. More than 350,000 people have cardiac arrest each year, according to the American Heart Association.

Hamlin knows first-hand what it's like recovering from a heart event. In 2023, he collapsed during a “Monday Night Football” game when he was hit hard during a tackle and had near-fatal cardiac arrest. The medical team acted fast with CPR and was able to bring his heartbeat back.

Dr. Mike has gone viral on social media, offering evidence-based advice about health and medicine. He busts myths that dominate TikTok with his real talk about what works and what is “snake oil.”

The American Heart Association Saves Lives

“Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, in a news release.

“This record-setting moment with our incredible collaborators is about more than a number—it represents nearly 1,300 people who are now prepared to step in and help save a life. That's how we build a Nation of Lifesavers.”