Heart Rhythm Clinic

What is it?

 

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart stops beating abruptly. If the heartbeat is not restored with an electrical shock immediately, death follows within minutes. Death from cardiac arrest is called sudden cardiac death (SCD). It accounts for about half of all heart disease-related deaths in the United States. 

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Source: Heart Rhythm Society

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What are some causes and prevention methods?

 

The most common cause of SCA is ventricular fibrillation (VF). In VF, the electrical signals that control the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) become chaotic. This sends the ventricles into fibrillation, which means the ventricles cannot effectively pump blood to the body. With no blood getting to the brain, a person experiencing ventricular fibrillation loses consciousness in seconds. 

 

There are a number of ways to prevent the risk of SCA. First, living a healthy life can help reduce the odds of SCA and other heart conditions. This includes exercising regularly, eating healthy foods, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking. It is also important to treat and monitor diseases and conditions that can contribute to heart problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. 

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Source: Heart Rhythm Society​