The invention comprises a heart assist device. In one embodiment, the heart assist device comprises a compressible sleeve about a body part, where one or more portions of the sleeve compress to provide a force on blood generating a flow or pulse of blood in the human circulatory system. In one case, the sleeve is external to the body, such as circumferentially about a limb or about a body extremity. In another case, the sleeve is internal to the body, such as circumferentially about an artery or vein. In still another case, two or more sleeves cooperatively function in parallel and/or in series. The heart assist device is optionally configured to auto-start in an emergency system, is in on-demand or in continuous contact with an emergency response system, and/or is linked to a medical professionals system.
