How Can Death Due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest Be
Prevented?
Ways to prevent death due to sudden cardiac arrest
(SCA) differ depending on whether:
- You've already had SCA
- You've never had SCA but are at high risk for the
condition
- You've never had SCA and have no known risk
factors for the condition
For People Who Have Survived Sudden Cardiac
Arrest
If you've already had SCA, you're at high risk of
having it again. Research shows that an implantable cardioverter defibrillator
(ICD) reduces the chances of dying from a second SCA.
An ICD is surgically placed under the skin in your
chest or abdomen. The device has wires with electrodes on the ends that connect
to your heart's chambers. The ICD monitors your heartbeat.
If the ICD detects a dangerous heart rhythm, it
gives an electric shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm. Your doctor may
give you medicine to limit irregular heartbeats that can trigger the ICD.
Implantable Cardioverter
Defibrillator
The illustration shows the location of an
implantable cardioverter defibrillator in the upper chest. The electrodes are
inserted into the heart through a vein.
An ICD isn't the same as a
pacemaker.
The devices are similar, but have some differences. Pacemakers only give off
low-energy electrical pulses. They're often used to treat less dangerous heart
rhythms, such as those that occur in the upper chambers of the heart. Most new
ICDs work as both pacemakers and ICDs.
For People at High Risk for a First Sudden Cardiac
Arrest
If you have severe
coronary
artery disease (CAD), you're at increased risk for SCA. This is especially
true if you've recently had a
heart
attack.
Your doctor may prescribe a type of medicine called
a beta blocker to help lower your risk for SCA. Other treatments for CAD, such
as
angioplasty
or coronary
artery bypass grafting, also may lower your risk for SCA.
Your doctor also may recommend an ICD if your risk
for SCA is very high.
For People Who Have No Known Risk Factors for
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
CAD seems to be the cause of most cases of SCA in
adults. CAD also is a major risk factor for
angina
(chest pain or discomfort) and heart attack, and it contributes to other heart
problems.
Following a healthy lifestyle can help you lower
your risk for CAD, SCA, and other heart problems.
Healthy Diet and Physical Activity
A healthy diet is an important part of a heart
healthy lifestyle. Choose a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains; half of
your grains should come from whole-grain products.
Choose foods that are low in saturated fat,
trans fat, and cholesterol. Healthy choices include lean meats,
poultry without skin, fish, beans, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk
products.
Choose and prepare foods with little sodium (salt).
Too much salt can raise your risk for
high
blood pressure. Recent studies show that following the
Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan can lower blood
pressure.
Choose foods and beverages that are low in added
sugar. If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
Aim for a healthy weight by staying within your
daily calorie needs. Balance the calories you take in with the calories you use
while doing physical activity. Be as physically active as you can.
Some people should get medical advice before
starting or increasing physical activity. For example, talk to your doctor if
you have a chronic (ongoing) health problem, are on medicine, or have symptoms
such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Your doctor can suggest
types and amounts of physical activity that are safe for you.
For more information on following a healthy diet,
see the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI's)
Aim for a
Healthy Weight Web site,
"Your
Guide to a Healthy Heart," and
"Your
Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure With DASH." All of these resources
provide general information about healthy eating.
For more information about physical activity, see
NHLBI's
"Your
Guide to Physical Activity and Your Heart."
Other Lifestyle Changes
Other lifestyle changes also can help lower your
risk for SCA. Examples include:
- Quitting smoking. Talk to your doctor about
programs and products that can help you quit. Also, try to avoid secondhand
smoke.
- Losing weight if you're
overweight
or obese.
- Treating other health problems, such as high
blood pressure,
high
blood cholesterol, and
diabetes.
|