Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is one of the leading causes of death in
the U.S., claiming the lives of nearly 300,000 people every year.
But what do you really know about this killer that often strikes
without warning?
Here are the facts:
SCA is not a heart attack
While heart attacks and SCA do have some things in common, they are not
the same.
A heart attack is when an artery or arteries in the heart are blocked,
which prevents the heart from getting the blood that it needs. This causes
damage to the heart that could lead to SCA.
SCA itself, however, is a different problem. It’s when the electrical
system that keeps the heart pumping stops working, causing the heart to beat
rapidly and irregularly. This can often be triggered by a heart attack, but
they are two distinct events.
SCA can strike anyone at any
time
There is a common misconception that only people who are overweight or
generally unhealthy can suffer from SCA. In fact, it can strike anyone at any
time without prior warning.
While no one is immune to SCA, there are certain factors that can
increase a person’s risk:
- Obesity
- Drug use
- Other heart conditions or previous SCA
- Family history of SCA or other heart problems
- Diabetes
- Smoking
Using an AED immediately can
save lives
If someone suffers from SCA, an AED applied within the first minute can
raise the survival rate to 90%, up from 5% without any AED at all or if
defibrillation is delayed by more than 10 minutes. 30-50% of SCA deaths could
have been prevented with an AED.
In the event of SCA, it is absolutely critical that an AED be applied
as soon as possible. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, the
survival rate decreases by 7-10%.
While AED training is always a good thing, it is not a requirement for
using an AED. Most AEDs will walk you through the process, and will not
administer a shock if the victim doesn’t need one.
Know where AEDs
are, and if an emergency arises, do your best to keep your composure and use
one.
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