What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), also known as sudden
cardiac death, is when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When
this occurs, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. SCA
usually causes death if not treated in minutes.
The heart has an internal electrical system that
controls the 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
arrhythmia. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or it
can stop beating. SCA occurs when the heart develops an arrhythmia that causes
it to stop beating.
SCA is not the same thing as a
heart
attack. A heart attack is a problem with blocked blood flow to a part of
the heart muscle. In a heart attack, the heart usually does not suddenly stop
beating. SCA, however, may happen during recovery from a heart attack.
People with heart disease have a higher chance of
having SCA. But 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 device that sends an
electrical shock to the heart (called a defibrillator) can be lifesaving.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are often found in public
places like airports and office buildings, can be used to save the lives of
people having SCAs.
August 2006
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