Statistics show sudden cardiac arrest is the No. 1 cause of natural death in the U.S., causing about 325,000 adult deaths each year. In fact, the number of Americans that die annually from sudden cardiac arrest is greater than the combined total number of individuals who are killed by motor vehicle accidents, firearms, breast cancer, diabetes, HIV, house fires, suicides and prostate cancer.
In this segment, Dr. Julie Clary, a cardiologist with IU Health Methodist Hospital and the Indiana University School of Medicine, explains what you need to know about this deadly, but treatable condition.
1. What is sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death? And how many Americans does this affect?
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating and blood is not pumped to the body. Sudden cardiac death occurs when the heart cannot be restarted. Each year, over 360,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital and receive emergency medical assistance.
2. What causes sudden cardiac death?
Sudden cardiac death is caused by an electrical malfunction of the heart. Either the heart can beat chaotically (ventricular fibrillation) or not at all (asystole). In either of these cases, the heart cannot beat effectively and no blood is pumped to the body.
3. How is sudden cardiac arrest different from a heart attack?
A heart attack happens when there is a blockage in an artery, which supplies blood to the heart muscle itself. This results in damage to the heart. Typically, patients who are having a heart attack experience symptoms like chest pain or trouble breathing. However, many patients have different symptoms and some have no symptoms at all. Heart attack sufferers typically remain awake and know what is going on around them.
4. What are the risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest? Are certain populations at a higher risk? How can someone tell if they’re at risk?
Risk factors for cardiac arrest include a previous history of heart disease including a prior heart attack, thickened or weakened heart muscle, and/or electrical abnormalities of the heart. Sometimes these risk factors can be genetic, so a family history of sudden cardiac arrest is also a risk factor. Previous, unexplained episodes of passing out could also potentially be warning signs that a person might be at risk. Additionally, recreational drug use is a risk factor for cardiac arrest and should be avoided.
5. What are the symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest?
The main symptom of cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of consciousness—passing out, blacking out. The victim will fall to the ground and have no control of their muscles. Breathing will stop and no pulse will be felt.
6. What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about sudden cardiac arrest?
One misconception about cardiac arrest is that it occurs most often in young, healthy athletes engaging in strenuous activities. Although these events are devastating, the majority of cardiac arrests occur in other individuals and situations.
7. Is there anything you can do to prevent sudden cardiac arrest? If so, what are some practical tips?
Not all cardiac arrest can be prevented. However, a person can reduce their risk by making healthy lifestyle choices like eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Routine care by a primary care physician can also identify and treat some risk factors. If an individual is known to be at high risk, he or she should be evaluated by a cardiologist and additional preventative actions can be taken. Lastly, recreational drug use should be avoided.
8. What should you do if someone you know experiences sudden cardiac arrest?
If someone you know experiences a sudden cardiac arrest, you should immediately call 911. If an AED is available, this should be applied to the victim and the instructions given by the machine should be followed. If no AED is available, CPR should be started and continued until the ambulance and additional help arrives.
9. What is an AED? What is CPR? How can they help someone who has had sudden cardiac arrest?
AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator. It is a machine that can detect abnormal/deadly heart rhythms and treat them using an electrical shock. Once turned on, the machine gives audible instructions of what to do including applying patches to the patient’s chest and delivering the shock with the press of a button. CPR stands for Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and involves performing chest compressions and giving breaths to a patient experiencing a cardiac arrest. CPR provides oxygen and circulates blood while an AED can treat a deadly heart rhythm. Both of these are required to help a patient survive a cardiac arrest.
10. What can be done to treat sudden cardiac arrest? Does IU Health offer anything special as far as treatments?
Cardiac arrest should be treated with early AED and CPR use. Emergency services should also be called as soon as possible to help transport a patient to the hospital for further care. The most important aspect of treatment is that it occurs fast! IU Health offers special treatments for survivors of cardiac arrest included therapeutic hypothermia (cooling of the body) to allow time for recovery of neurologic function and improved survival as well as additional advanced treatments for the various causes of cardiac arrest.
