What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?

October 10, 2022

According to The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem with the heart. When someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest, they are unresponsive and their heart stops beating immediately. When a person’s heart stops beating, blood is no longer pumping throughout the body to the vital organs, including the brain. Immediate treatment is crucial for survival.
 
Sudden cardiac arrest affects approximately 356,000 people each year outside of the hospital across the United States. Unfortunately, less than 10% of those people survive. It is very important to act immediately if someone is suffering sudden cardiac arrest. Every second that goes by without treatment hurts the person’s chances of survival.
 
SCA can happen to anyone of any age, gender, race, and even those who seem to be in great health. It is the number one killer of student athletes and the leading cause of death on school campuses. Up to 23,000 youth are stricken annually, and 90% of those victims die.

 

Causes of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Often times, when a person suffers sudden cardiac arrest, it is because of an undetected heart condition. Some of those heart conditions include:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
• Long QT Syndrome
• Coronary Artery Anomalies
• Idiopathic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
• Wolff-Parkinson-White
 
Here are some other conditions that can put you at risk for sudden cardiac arrest:

• Fainting or seizure
• Chest pain or discomfort during or after exertion
• Racing heartbeat
• Unusual shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness during or after physical activity
• Unusual fatigue or tiredness
• Family history of heart disease
• Family history of unexpected death
• Unexplained death of family member under the age of 50
 

How To Help Someone In Sudden Cardiac Arrest 

So, what do you do if you witness someone go into sudden cardiac arrest? How do you help them? If you suspect someone is suffering from sudden cardiac arrest, take the following steps:

• Call 9-1-1
• Immediately start performing CPR (100-120 chest compressions per minute)
• Use an AED as soon as possible.
 
To learn more about Defibtech and to join us on our quest to save lives from sudden cardiac arrest, visit www.Defibtech.com.