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
itmost 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.
February 2009
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