Heart Attack

Home » Heart Attack » Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Heart Attack
(Free Handout)

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), also called sudden cardiac death, occurs when the heart develops an abnormal rhythm (arrhythmia; e.g., ventricular fibrillation, tachycardia) that causes it to stop beating suddenly. Sudden cardiac death is not the same as a heart attack. Heart attack is characterized by an interruption in blood flow to the heart, causing the death of heart tissue. Although a heart attack can result in cardiac arrest, this condition does not necessarily cause the heart to stop beating, as is the case in SCA.

In as many as 95% of cases, patients who experience SCA die, usually within minutes. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), more than 300,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest each year in the United States.

Sudden cardiac death can occur in patients who are unaware that they have an underlying medical condition. The most common cause for SCA is heart disease, also called coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease, or coronary artery disease.

Other causes for sudden cardiac arrest include genetic (inherited) heart conditions and severe physical stress (e.g., extreme blood loss, intense exercise). SCA is the leading cause for death in young athletes. In many of these cases, adrenaline, which is a hormone released during physical activity, triggers cardiac arrest in a seemingly healthy person who may or may not have an undiagnosed heart condition. Certain medications and illegal drug use can increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest can cause permanent brain damage and death in as few as 4 to 6 minutes. SCA requires immediate treatment with a device that delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat (called a defibrillator).

If a person loses consciousness and may be experiencing cardiac arrest, call 911 immediately and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until medical personnel arrive or a defibrillator can be used. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are easy to use and are available in some public places (e.g., airports, shopping malls, large office buildings).

Patients who survive SCA are at increased risk for future cardiac arrest. Treatment for these patients requires correcting the underlying condition; for example, by improving blood flow to the heart and preventing abnormal heart rhythms. Treatment may include medications (e.g., anti-arrhythmic drugs), surgery (e.g., cardiac catheterization, balloon angioplasty, coronary bypass, heart transplant), and/or implantable medical devices (e.g., defibrillator, pacemaker).

© 1998-2010 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Heart Attack Resources

	Questions to Ask Your Cardiac Care Team The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your heart condition. Print this free handout to take with you on your next office visit.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Join Our Heart Attack Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer