Sudden cardiac arrest is becoming increasingly common and it claims a lot of lives around the world, and October is annually observed as “Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Awareness Month”. This is a time to reflect on SCA preparedness, response, and heart health. Read on to know more.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition in which your heart comes to a standstill. It is the abrupt loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. The condition usually results from a problem with your heart's electrical system, which disrupts your heart's pumping action and stops blood flow to your body.
In most cases, sudden cardiac arrests are diagnosed post-mortem, as this condition is often fatal. However, your healthcare provider can diagnose a sudden cardiac arrest if you:
• Aren’t breathing.
• Have no pulse.
• Are unconscious
In the event you survive a sudden cardiac arrest, your doctor will conduct various tests to monitor your heart health and to prevent another episode of SCA in the future. The tests that may be conducted include:
1. Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
2. Blood Test to check electrolytes involved in your heart’s electrical conduction
3. Heart MRI
4. Echocardiogram
5. Cardiac catheterization.
6. Electrophysiology study.
7. Ambulatory monitoring.
Sudden cardiac arrest treatment is possible but emergency action needs to start immediately. The survival rate can be 90% if the treatment starts within the first minutes but the survival rate drops by about 10% with each minute passing by. The treatment includes:
• Immediate Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): This can provide enough headroom until the emergency medical responders arrive at the scene as it can assist in keeping the oxygen-rich blood flow circulating throughout the body.
• Automated External Defibrillator or an AED: This is medical device that can be used to analyze an individual’s heart rhythm and is programmed to deliver an electrical shock when necessary, in order to re-established the effective rhythm of the heart.
After successful defibrillation, most people need hospital care to recover from the effects of their sudden cardiac arrest and to treat and prevent future cardiac problems.
Here are a few preventive measures that you can take in order to minimize the risk of SCA to some extent:
● Keep regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider.
● Follow a healthy lifestyle and diet
● Maintain healthy weight
● Focus on stress management
● Get adequate amount of sleep
● Take medications as prescribed by your physician
● Teach your family the importance of immediate care and learning CPR.
In most instances, sudden cardiac arrest occurs outside a hospital, like at home, on the road, or at workplace. Due to this, the availability of immediate diagnosis and medical treatment is not always possible. Without immediate care like CPR, AED and arrival of medical treatment, the chances of survival may become slim. So, in case you detect yourself or someone else experiencing cardiac arrest symptoms, immediately call the medical emergency line.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a serious medical condition that can turn out to be fatal. Its diagnosis and treatment are possible to some extent and can save a lot of lives.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, NIH
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.
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