Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest
What Sudden Cardiac Arrest Is and How To Prevent It
Sudden cardiac arrest is a scary condition. When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly. I’m Heart Healthy Henry and I’m going to review the serious subject of sudden cardiac arrest with you.
An Overview of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest kills half of all people who die from heart disease. Sudden cardiac arrest is not a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when there is a blockage of a blood vessel. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when they heart’s electrical system doesn’t function properly.
What Causes Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
The most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation occurs when the control signals that regulate the heart suddenly become chaotic. Because of this, the lower chambers of the heart stop pumping and start trembling. As a result, they can no longer pump blood to the parts of the body that need it.
Treatment of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
The only treatment known to really work for sudden cardiac arrest is an emergency shock treatment that is given to the patient using a tool called a defibrillator.
For a defibrillator to be effective, it must be used within minutes of the sudden cardiac arrest onset. Unfortunately, more than 70 percent of sudden cardiac death patients die prior to receiving defibrillation.
Signs and Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
While it’s true that sudden cardiac arrest occurs unexpectedly and usually without warning, there are some signs that you can be on the lookout for. These include an abnormal heart rate, a rapid heart rate that comes and goes without reason, and fainting.
Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent sudden cardiac arrest. These steps include sticking to a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco and maintaining a healthy weight. By taking these steps, you can greatly reduce your risk of sudden cardiac arrest.