Approximately 356,000 Americans experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest annually, as estimated by the American Heart Association. All too often, some 90% are fatal due to a lack of timely enough help or because bystanders simply do not know how to save them. And on top of this, an estimated 800,000 Americans are treated in the emergency room every year for heart attack, making heart-related emergencies one of the leading killers throughout the country.
Despite these types of statistics, nonetheless, knowing how to tell if a person is suffering from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and acting quickly can make all the difference in life and death. Regardless of where you happen to be, at home, at work, or out and about, knowing what to do can quite simply save a life.
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest is a dangerous and life-threatening condition in which the heart suddenly stops beating because of an electrical breakdown. It is quite different from a heart attack, a blockage of the blood supply to the heart. In SCA, the heart’s rhythm becomes disordered (a situation such as ventricular fibrillation), and the heart is unable to pump blood.
In a matter of seconds, the individual loses consciousness, ceases to breathe, and has no detectable pulse. It requires immediate treatment.
Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack: What is the Difference?
A heart attack is often mistaken for cardiac arrest, yet the distinction between them can translate to saving precious minutes:
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): It happens when an occluded artery prevents oxygenated blood from flowing to a portion of the heart. The patient remains awake, and the symptoms may be pain, discomfort, shortness of breath, or nausea.
- Cardiac Arrest: Occurs when the electrical system of the heart is not working and the heart will not beat. The victim will collapse, lose consciousness, have no pulse, and not be breathing.
While a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, they are not the same. Both have a different treatment, and for cardiac arrest, CPR and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can greatly enhance the survival rate if used promptly.
Signs and Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest
While it’s true that many people don’t feel anything leading up to a cardiac arrest, numerous survivors have reported experiencing some signs that can happen anywhere from a few hours to just minutes before the event.
- Dizziness/light-headed ness
- Acute shortness of breath
- Chest pressure/pain
- Unexplained weakness
- Heart race
- Palpitations Nausea/vomiting
- Arms jerk like a seizure.
The most visible symptoms of cardiac arrest are:
- Sudden collapse
- No pulse
- No respiration
- Unconsciousness
Risk Factors for Cardiac Arrest
Some lifestyle and medical conditions might increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension):
Hypertension is one of the leading causes of cardiac arrest and affects approximately 48% of American adults or 119 million people. Not controlling high blood pressure overworks the heart and can lead to heart failure or abnormal heart rhythms.
- High Cholesterol:
Almost 94 million American adults over 20 have higher total cholesterol than recommended. Hypercholesterolemia has been found to increase coronary heart disease which is a cousin of cardiac arrest.
- Smoking:
Smoking tightens the blood vessels and reduces oxygenation. 28 million US adults smoke and that increases their risk.
- Diabetes:
Around the 11.6% of Americans (representing 38 million people) have diabetes. High blood sugar stiffens the arteries and damages the nerves that control the heart and increases the risk of cardiac arrest.
- Obesity:
More than the 42% of American adults are obese. Obesity is most common with hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol – two of the leading causes of heart disease and cardiac arrest.
- Sedentary Lifestyle:
CDC reports indicate that 25% of American adults are physically inactive. Inactivity is associated with obesity, diabetes and poor cardiovascular health.
- Previous Heart Conditions:
Patients with history of coronary artery disease, heart failure or cardiomyopathy (heart enlargement) are at higher risk. About 18 million American adults have coronary artery disease which is an estimate.
- Substance Abuse (Illicit Drugs):
Cocaine and amphetamine abuse are linked to fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. 4.8 million Americans used cocaine in 2021 and are at risk.
- Sleep Apnea:
Studies have found that nearly 25% of men and 10% of women in America have sleep apnea which increases their blood pressure and puts unnecessary strain on the heart.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD):
37 million Americans have CKD and it is most common after heart disease and high blood pressure – two of the leading risk factors for cardiac arrest.
- Gender and Age:
Cardiac arrest is more common in men. And risk after 50 years old is much higher.
- Drug Overdose:
The current opioid epidemic in America has seen a huge increase in cardiac arrests due to overdose. In 2022 alone over 80,000 people died from opioid overdose and most of them ended up in cardiac arrest scenarios.
Register for CPR or First Aid Training
The following video explains symptoms and the difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack.
How to Assist a Cardiac Arrest Victim
Time is of the essence when a person falls into cardiac arrest. Survival decreases by 7-10% with each minute of time lost without CPR and defibrillation.
This is what you need to do:
Step 1: Dial 911
Call emergency services immediately. If you are with someone, have them call while you begin to assist the victim.
Step 2: Use an AED
If one is available, get an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). AEDs are present at most public places—airports, gyms, malls, schools. The machine will guide you through the use with basic instructions. If instructed to do so, administer a shock and then perform CPR.
Step 3: Start CPR
If no AED is available, begin CPR right away. Do hands-only CPR by compressing at a speed and force in the center of the chest at 100 to 120 compressions per minute (use the beat of the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees as a guide). Compress at least 2 inches deep with full recoil between each compression.
Maintain CPR until EMS have reached the location or until the patient is seen to improve.
Complications of Cardiac Arrest
If a cardiact arrest victim is untreated, may result in
- Brain damage: Brain becomes oxygen starved and sustains permanent damage within minutes.
- Death: Unless the heartbeat is corrected instantly, survival is extremely improbable.
Prompt defibrillation and CPR dramatically enhance the outcome, with the potential to restore abnormal heart rhythms and maintain brain and cardiac function.
Prevention: Decreasing Your Risk
Most risk factors related to lifestyle can decrease your risk, like:
- Americal Heart Association states that 30 minutes of activity 5 days a week is optimal to decrease your risk!
- A heart-healthy diet
- Coping with and managing stress
- Discontinuing smoking and limiting alcohol
- Regular healthcare follow-ups and regular screening for heart disease are essential.
Get Ready: CPR Training in Los Angeles
Coast2Coast First Aid & Safety Training offers comprehensive First Aid & CPR training in Los Angeles, empowering you with the lifesaving skills to address cardiac emergencies confidently. Hands-on training by certified instructors is given, including how to properly use an AED and how to provide CPR.
Don’t wait—empower yourself with the ability to save lives.
