Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest

October welcomes cooler days, football games, and all things pumpkin but did you also know that it is Sudden Cardiac Arrest month? Lorven Heart and Vascular is encouraging its community to become more familiar with its symptoms, risk factors, and response to save lives. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a critical medical emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating or develops a dangerous rhythmia. It can happen to anyone without warning, regardless of age or health status, and it often leads to death if not treated promptly. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is often compared to a heart attack, but to the contrary, both are very di erent. A heart attack is caused by a blockage in the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle, while SCA is when the heart is impaired and stops beating unexpectedly. In other words, a heart attack is caused by a “circulation” issue while cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem with the heart. About 80% of cases are due to a preexisting condition related to heart disease. It is important to know that SCA can happen to anyone without any heart issues or disease. 

Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest are drastic and immediate. If someone you are with or around you who is fi ne one second then collapses, becomes unresponsive, loses their pulse, and is not breathing, they are likely experiencing SCA. Someone who su ers from SCA has a very slim chance of survival without quick action to revive the heart. Delivering an electric shock from an automated external defi brillator (AED) and giving CPR can greatly increase the chances of survival. Today, many public places have AED’s available such as shopping centers, schools, sports venues, community centers, professional o ces, airports, and government o ces. Start a conversation about your heart health between you and the cardiologists at Lorven Heart and Vascular to know if you are at risk and to take steps to lower your chances of SCA: