Sudden cardiac death is unexpected and sudden death, which is caused when there is no heart function at all. In the US, it is the largest reason of natural death. Almost 325,000 natural deaths are caused in the US for this reason (27). Many people think that a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest is the same thing. But they are not; they are different. For a sudden cardiac death, it is not necessary that the person has to have pre-existing heart disease. It can happen to anyone and at any time.
What is the difference between sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack?
Though many people confuse that a sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack are the same, they are not actually. However, sudden cardiac arrest can take place during a heart attack. Heart attacks take place when there are blockages in the arteries (one or more). As a result, the heart does not receive abundant oxygen-rich blood. With lack of oxygen to the heart muscles, there are high chances of the heart becoming damaged.
When a sudden cardiac arrest takes place, the electrical system of the heart starts malfunctioning. Suddenly, the heart rhythm becomes extremely irregular and the heart starts beating really fast. Quivering or fluttering of the ventricles (ventricular fibrillation) takes place and blood does not reach to all parts of the body. The most dangerous thing that happens is that blood flow to the brain is reduced and this might lead the person to become unconscious. Until and unless emergency treatment is provided, there is no way in which death can be averted. Very few patients have reported to survive severe and sudden cardiac arrests until and unless they have got emergency medical assistance and treatment.
What are the symptoms pointing to sudden cardiac arrest?
People experience various kinds of symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest. Some of the most common ones are feeling dizzy or racing heartbeat. This dangerous heartbeat rhythm is signal that something grave might happen when not attended at the right time. However, it has been seen that in many cases of severe cardiac arrests, no prior symptoms have been seen (28).
What risk factors can trigger sudden cardiac arrest?
There are innumerable risk factors which can contribute to the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in a person followed by sudden cardiac death. Some of them are following:
- History of coronary artery disease (80% of sudden cardiac death cases are integrally linked with coronary artery disease (29))
- History of previous heart attack in which a large area of the heart is damaged
- Hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol levels, hereditary factors are also responsible
- History of blood vessel abnormalities or congenital heart defects
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Drug abuse, even if that is recreational
- Taking medicines which are pro-arrhythmic
Is it possible to prevent sudden cardiac death?
When a person is diagnosed with any of the risk factors mentioned above for cardiac arrest, it is recommended to seek suggestions from a cardiologist immediately for taking proper precautions and steps and reduce the risks of cardiac arrests and sudden cardiac deaths.
- Ejection Fraction (EF) – EF measures the percentage of blood which is pumped out of the heart with every single heartbeat. This can be done during an echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, MRI or scans of the heart. The normal range is 55% – 75%. Check the EF to know the exact condition of the heart pumping blood.
- Working on the risk factors seriously – Reducing the risk factors which might cause coronary artery disease or sudden cardiac arrest is important. Try making some lifestyle changes for this like lose weight, quit smoking, follow a low-fat diet, exercise regularly, manage diabetes and other health conditions like cholesterol and high blood pressure etc.
- Proper medications – For minimizing risks of sudden cardiac arrests, medicines are prescribed which help in preventing arrhythmias and heart failure. ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and other medicines which help in dealing with arrhythmia are prescribed. Statin drugs are prescribed for patients with coronary artery disease and high cholesterol.
Along with these, it is important to visit the doctor regularly and carry out follow treatment and checkups as and when asked. Diagnostic tests and investigations also need to be done to understand the present condition of the heart.