It can happen in a heartbeat. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can strike
anyone, anytime. It is a leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming nearly
320,000-325,000 lives each year—about 1,000 people a day—or one every two
minutes. (SCAA)
• SCA occurs abruptly and without warning. The heart suddenly stops beating
and without warning. When this occurs, the heart is no longer able to pump
blood to the rest of the body, and in over 90% of the victims, death occurs.
This is usually caused when the electrical impulses in the affected heart
become rapid (ventricular tachycardia, or “VT”) or chaotic (ventricular
fibrillation, or “VF”), or both. These irregular heart rhythms are arrhythmias.
The general public and media often mistakenly refer to SCA as a “massive
heart attack.” (SCAA)
• SCA is an electrical problem, whereby the arrhythmia prevents the heart
from pumping blood to the brain and vital organs. In most cases, there
are no warning signs or symptoms. (SCAA)
• A heart attack is a plumbing problem caused by one or more blockages
in the heart’s blood vessels, preventing proper flow, and the heart muscle
dies. In some cases, a heart attack may lead to SCA. (SCAA)
• SCA can strike persons of any age, gender, race, and even those who seem in
good health. There are risk factors for SCA and someone has them they should
discuss with a doctor. (See SCA Fact Sheet, SCAA.)
• About 80% of SCA victims have signs f coronary heart disease. Leading a
heart healthy lifestyle is important in preventing coronary artery disease and
other heart conditions. (SCAA)
• When someone collapses from SCA, immediate CPR and use of an automated external
defibrillator (AED) are essential for any chance of recovery. These devices
are failsafe and will not cause injury to the user, nor will they deliver a
shock if none is needed. For patients in “VF”, studies show that if early defibrillation
is provided within the first minute, the odds are 90% that the victim’s life
can be saved. After that, the rate of survival drops 10% with every minute.
As many as 30%-50% of SCA victims would likely survive if CPR and AEDs were
used within five minutes of collapse.
• The American Heart Association supports implementing the chain of survival
to rescue people who suffer a cardiac arrest in the community. The adult chain
of survival consists of:1
o Early Recognition of the Emergency and Activation of Emergency Response System
(phone 9-1-1 immediately)
o Early CPR
o Early Defibrillation
o Early Advanced Care
• The first ten minutes following a sudden cardiac event are critical. In fact,
there is a 10% decrease in survival for every minute of delay. CPR alone may
not restart the heart in the event of a SCA, so it is critical to shock the
heart with an automated external defibrillator within the first five minutes
of a SCA—and increase the chances for survival. (SCAA)
• SCA is extremely deadly, with a mortality rate of approximately 90%. (SCAA)
• Many EMS squads have an average response time of 8-12 minutes.
• Communities should implement public access defibrillation (PAD) programs to
help save lives.
• Some AEDs cost less than $1,500. (SCCA)
Other resources and references for information on sudden cardiac arrest may
be found at the following:
American Heart Association, http://www.americanheart.org
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA), http://www.suddencardiacarrest.org
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, http://www.sca-aware.org
REFERENCES:
1.) http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4741
2.) http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.191261
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