The abrupt cessation of all heart function as a result of an irregular heart rhythm is known as Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) which may result in sudden stoppage of heart beat which can have fatal consequences if not managed timely. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and cardiac shocks using an automated external defibrillator (AED) are emergency treatments for sudden cardiac arrest. With prompt and appropriate medical attention, lives can be saved.
A heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest are not the same thing. When a portion of the heart's blood supply is cut off, a heart attack occurs. But vessel blockage is not the cause of sudden cardiac arrest. On the other hand, sudden cardiac arrest can result from an alteration in the electrical activity of the heart brought on by a heart attack.
Defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are two emergency treatments. CPR maintains the oxygen supply to your lungs as well as your brain until your heart rhythm returns to normal with an electric shock. Defibrillators and CPR could save your life. It is estimated that around 4 to 5 million fatality cases of sudden cardiac arrest occur every year globally. Scientific evidence suggests that the United States witnessed a significant decrease in the incidence of sudden cardiac death in the second half of the 20th century, coinciding with a reduction in coronary artery disease casualties.
This is probably the result of an increased focus on using techniques like aspirin administration, coronary interventions, diet modification, and adjustments to lifestyle to prevent the death from coronary disease. But this positive trend is unlikely to last, due to the startling global increase in the incidence of diabetes and obesity in the first ten years of the twenty-first century. There will likely be a resurgence of coronary artery disease and heart failure, which may enhance the rate of sudden cardiac death cases.
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest is the sudden stoppage of heart beats causing reduced blood flow to the brain and other organs of the body. This may result in loss of consciousness, disability, and even death if the patient is not provided immediate medical attention. Certain arrhythmias stop the heart from pumping blood, which leads to cardiac arrests. Certain arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) are what lead to cardiac arrests because they stop the heart from pumping blood. Cardiac arrest is considered a medical emergency. 90% of individuals who experience a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital pass away in minutes. Heart valve disease, coronary heart disease, arrhythmias resulting from defective genes, congenital heart defects, and history of cardiac arrest are significant risk factors. Around half of the individuals remain unaware of their heart condition which ends-up into a cardiac arrest.What are Sudden Cardiac Arrest Symptoms?
Sudden cardiac arrest symptoms appear immediately and are too severe to handle if not managed timely:- Sudden collapse
- No detectable pulse rate
- Stoppage of breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Chest discomfort
- Breathlessness
- Weakness
- Palpitations (pounding heart rate)
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Causes
Ventricular fibrillation is the most frequently observed irregular heart rhythm that leads to sudden cardiac arrest. Instead of pumping blood, the lower heart chambers tremble ineffectively due to rapid and irregular heartbeats. Your risk of experiencing this kind of heartbeat issue may increase if you have certain cardiac conditions. However, even those without a known heart condition may experience sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest can be caused by the following heart conditions:- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy)
- Heart valve disease
- Congenital heart defects
- Long QT syndrome (LQTS)/other heart signaling problems
Risk Factors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
The factors that increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest are- Coronary artery disease running in the family
- High blood pressure
- Smoking High blood cholesterol levels
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Patient’s or family’s past history of sudden cardiac arrest
- Patient’s history of heart attack
- History of heart rhythm problems, heart failure, and heart defects Advancing age
- Male predominance
- Intake of illegal drugs (cocaine or amphetamines)
- Low potassium or magnesium levels
- Obstructive sleep apnea (a sleep disorder). Chronic kidney disease
How to Prevent Cardiac Arrest?
Maintaining heart health may help you to avoid unexpected cardiac arrest. To accomplish this, you can:- Eating a balanced diet
- Going for routine examinations
- Avoid taking tobacco products or smoking
- Getting a heart disease screening
- Regulating cholesterol levels
- Maintaining normal blood pressure
What are the Complications of Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
The prognosis for those who survive sudden cardiac arrest varies based on how soon they received medical attention. They typically require assistance in regaining the abilities they possessed prior to their abrupt cardiac arrest. This occurs because prolonged periods of time without oxygen reaching the brain can cause brain damage. Because of oxygen deprivation, nearly 90% of individuals who survive cardiopulmonary arrest have irreversible brain damage. Your everyday life and your capabilities may change as a result of this. You may experience following:- Ataxia (movement and coordination problems)
- Coma
- Persistent vegetative state
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Swallowing disorders
- Excessive fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Seizures
- Muscle weakness
- Speech disorders (dysarthria)
- Stroke
- Abnormal behavior patterns like being impulsive
- Impaired vision
- Not conscious
- Lack a pulse
- Not breathing
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Treatment?
If CPR is not administered, sudden cardiac arrest that lasts longer than eight minutes can be fatal. Five minutes can be enough to cause brain damage. Take these actions if you witness someone going into sudden cardiac arrest:- Call medical help right away Even if it's just hands-only CPR, get started. Through the use of CPR chest compressions, heart pumping can be assisted and life can be saved. It maintains oxygen and blood flow until assistance arrives.
- If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, use it. A person can be saved from sudden cardiac arrest with CPR and defibrillation combined. The most effective means of saving a life is to use an AED. The likelihood of survival increases with the amount of time until defibrillation.
- You will receive antiarrhythmic medication from emergency personnel via an IV (intravenous) in your arm. These drugs function to rectify the electrical rhythm of your heart. Most patients require hospital care following successful defibrillation in order to recuperate from the effects of their sudden cardiac arrest as well as to treat and prevent further heart problems.
Conclusion
Heart arrest recovery is an extended procedure that involves therapies to help you regain as much function as possible. To avoid experiencing another episode of sudden cardiac arrest, many survivors require ongoing cardiac care. Make sure you keep taking any prescribed medications and attend all of your subsequent appointments. Those who live with a patient who had a cardiac arrest in the past must learn a CPR course. This could ease your mind in the event of another cardiac arrest. Most cardiac arrests happen at home if it doesn't happen at a hospital. Choose Asian Heart Institute for right and timely heart treatment. Book your consultation now!FAQs
Q1: Is survival possible after a sudden cardiac arrest?A: If medical attention is received in the first few minutes following sudden cardiac arrest, survival rates may reach 90%. As each minute goes on, the rate decreases by roughly 10%. If CPR is not administered, sudden cardiac arrest that lasts longer than eight minutes can be fatal. Five minutes can be enough to cause brain damage.
Q2: In case of sudden cardiac arrest, what should one do?
A:To treat sudden cardiac arrest and save lives, immediate CPR is required. reestablishing the cardiac rhythm. If there is an automated external defibrillator (AED) nearby, you can use it to accomplish defibrillation.
Q3: Is cardiac arrest detectable by ECG?
A: An electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG or ECG, is a heart imaging test that can reveal a severe ventricular arrhythmia or complete absence of heartbeat. All of these indicate a potential cardiac arrest.
