Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming an estimated 325,000 lives each year. During a sudden cardiac arrest, heart function ceases -- abruptly and without warning. When this occurs, the heart is no longer able to pump blood to the rest of the body, and in some 95% of victims, death occurs.

While Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a significant public health crisis, it is often misunderstood. SCA is not a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when a blood vessel becomes blocked and interrupts blood flow to the heart, causing heart muscle to die. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart's electrical system malfunctions and the heart stops beating.

According to Scott Conner, Vice President of the American Red Cross Health, Safety and Community Services

"Defibrillation has the most life-saving potential when administered within the first 4 minutes of cardiac arrest"

Once a cardiac arrest occurs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation is required within the first several minutes to restore electrical activity to the heart and revive the heart's pumping function. If a victim has to wait for a defibrillator-equipped ambulance to arrive on the scene, his or her chances of survival drops by 10% each minute of delay. Availability of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) is critical for rapid response to cardiac arrest.

"After ten minutes of cardiac arrest, very few resuscitation attempts are successful" Scott Connor

Ten minutes is a very small window of opportunity we have to save someone's life.

What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs.

SCA usually causes death if it's not treated within minutes.

Overview

To understand SCA, it helps to understand how the heart works. The heart has an internal electrical system that controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. Problems with the electrical system can cause abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs).

There are many types of arrhythmias. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. Some arrhythmias can cause the heart to stop pumping blood to the body. These are the type of arrhythmias that cause SCA.

SCA is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. During a heart attack, the heart usually doesn't suddenly stop beating. SCA, however, may happen after or during recovery from a heart attack.

People who have heart disease are at increased risk for SCA. However, most SCAs happen in people who appear healthy and have no known heart disease or other risk factors for SCA.

Outlook

Ninety-five percent of people who have SCA die from it—most within minutes. Rapid treatment of SCA with a defibrillator can be lifesaving. A defibrillator is a device that sends an electric shock to the heart to try to restore its normal rhythm.

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which often are found in public places like airports and office buildings, can be used by bystanders to save the lives of people who are having SCA.

American Heart Association: www.americanheart.org
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
American Safety and Health Institute:www.ashinstitute.org
CPR Anytime: www.cpranytime.org
Emergency Care and Safety Institute: www.ecsinstitute.org
National Safety Council: www.nsc.org
Medic First Aid International: www.medicfirstaid.com