Last Updated: 24th July, 2022
Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Plenty of us may be aware of a sudden heart attack and have always interpreted it for a heart attack. It is not, however, the same. Sudden cardiac arrests are more common than you, might think, and can occur anytime to anyone. Were you aware that almost 80% of sudden cardiac arrests occur at home?
Additionally, sudden cardiac arrest is typically fatal if appropriate steps aren’t taken immediately. Accordingly, in this article, let’s shed some light and discuss about what is a sudden cardiac arrest, its symptoms and what you should do in case of a SDC.
What Is A Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
A sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating suddenly because of a problem with electrical signals in your heart. The heart stops sending blood to the body and brain and oxygen-starved brain cells start being damaged.
Signs And Symptoms Of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
A sudden cardiac arrest typically happens without any warning signs. A person experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest can:
- Collapse suddenly.
- Be unconscious/unresponsive and may not respond to touch or sound.
- Experience difficulty in breathing (produces gasping sounds) or fail to breathe.
Who Is At A Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risk?
A sudden cardiac arrest can occur at any age and anytime. Even people with no previous health problem or history of heart disease can suffer from a SDC. Moreover, it can occur without any prior warning. However, there are certain factors that can thrust up the risk of a sudden cardiac attack which includes:
- Old age
- Gender (men are more prone than women)
- History of arrhythmias/heart attack
- Family history of heart disease
- Smoking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Substance abuse
- Potassium or magnesium deficiency
Causes Of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
A sudden cardiac arrest may be caused by almost any known heart condition. The most primary cause of a sudden attack is Ventricular Fibrillation (VF). It is a type of arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) that is not diagnosed beforehand leading to fatal consequences. Other causes include:
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart attack
- Congenital heart disease
- Use of recreational drugs
- Drowning
- Respiratory distress
- Trauma
- Electrocution
Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Similar As A Heart Attack?
Sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack are not the similar thing, although people frequently confuse both the terms. A sudden arrest occurs when the heart stops pumping blood to the rest of the body. It is typically caused due to abnormal heart rhythm. In this, normal breathing stops, and consciousness are lost. If left unattended (for a few minutes), it can also increase the risk of mortality.
A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked which prevents blood flow to part of the heart muscle. If blood flow isn’t restored instantly, the section of the heart muscle begins dying. During a heart attack, a person remains conscious and keeps breathing. If treatment is delayed, then the damage to the heart muscle increases.
However, in some cases, a heart attack can cause a sudden cardiac arrest. This is because a person suffering from a heart attack can also experience abnormal heart rhythm, which can lead to a sudden cardiac arrest. Remember, both heart attacks and cardiac arrest constitute medical emergencies that require urgent attention.
SDC: What YOU Must Do?
If you witness a sudden cardiac arrest, then call for medical assistance/ambulance immediately. However, do not wait for the emergency medical service to arrive, but start off with first-aid like:
- Perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
- Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
The Role Of CPR in A Sudden Cardiac Arrest
A person’s life can be spared from a sudden cardiac arrest if the heart rhythm is recovered. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure that you can perform as a bystander on a person getting a SDC until medical help arrives. If performed in the first few minutes of the SDC, CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
General Guidelines For Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- To start with, check the airway of the person by placing them on their back and open airways by lifting the chin slightly.
- Secondly, check breathing by placing your ear next to their mouth and listen for around 10 seconds.
- If the person doesn’t breathe or produce gasping noises, perform CPR.
Step 1: Perform 30 chest compressions: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest, slightly below the nipples with the heel of the hands and straight elbows. Push at least 2 inches deep at a rate of least 100 times per minute.
Step 2: Tweak the nose and give two rescue breaths: Watch for chest rising.
- Perpetuate the cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until the person starts breathing or help arrives.
Guidelines For Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) During COVID-19
According to the American Heart Association, the most recent guidelines to perform CPR (during COVID-19) are:
- Before all else, verify the scene safety by utilizing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and limiting the gathering of people around the patient.
- If the victim is unresponsive, shout for help or call an emergency helpline number.
- If the person doesn’t breathe or produce gasping noises, perform CPR.
Step 1: Perform 30 chest compressions: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest, slightly below the nipples with the heel of the hands and straight elbows. Push at least 2 inches deep at a rate of least 100 times per minute.
Step 2: Provide rescue breathing using a bag-mask device with a filter and a tight seal. Equally known as an Bag Valve Mask, it is a hand-held device used to provide positive pressure ventilation. Watch for chest rising.
- Perpetuate the cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until the person starts breathing or help arrives.
Performing CPR can increase a person’s chances of survival post a sudden cardiac arrest. Make sure, emergency treatment is required for SDC, so if it happens to someone near you, step in since you’re the greatest hope for that person to survive the sudden arrest.
