ACLS, or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, is a structured approach to managing cardiac arrest and other life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies. It is widely used across hospitals in the United States and internationally and is commonly required for physicians, nurses, paramedics, and critical care professionals. The certification focuses on recognising deterioration early, managing cardiac arrest effectively, and working within a team during resuscitation. It is most closely associated with the American Heart Association, whose guidelines form the basis of most training and examinations.