| Sudden cardiac arrest which is also called sudden | | | | disease and high cholesterol. |
| cardiac death, occurs when the heart suddenly and | | | | Those who differ from heart disease have a greater |
| without warning stops beating. Blood stops flowing to | | | | risk of having sudden cardiac arrest, but is mostly |
| the brain and death will occur within minutes if not | | | | happens in those who seem healthy and do not have |
| treated. | | | | any known heart disease or risk factors. |
| Irregular heart rhythms called arrhythmias are the | | | | Sudden cardiac arrest varies from a heart attack. A |
| most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest which | | | | heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart |
| in an essence causes the heart to stop pumping | | | | muscle is blocked causing loss of needed oxygen to |
| blood. | | | | the heart muscle. Usually when a heart attack |
| It is the highest cause of death in the Unites States. | | | | happens the heart does not suddenly stop beating. |
| Over three-hundred thousand adults die every year | | | | Sudden cardiac arrest may occur during recovery |
| and it is the cause for about half of all heart disease | | | | from a heart attack. |
| related deaths. It happens more frequently with | | | | In the same way as a heart attack, sudden cardiac |
| adults in their mid 30’s or 40’s and occurs | | | | arrest generally occurs due to other underlying heart |
| more often in men than in women. | | | | problems such as coronary artery disease. |
| Ninety-five percent who suffer from sudden cardiac | | | | Symptoms of heart attackpressure, heaviness or |
| arrest die from it, so immediate treatment is needed. | | | | pain in the middle of the chestmild or intense pain in |
| A defibrillator which sends electrical shock to the | | | | the shoulders, neck, arms, abdomen, back or |
| heart is the best way to prevent death. | | | | jawdiscomfort in the chest areafullness, indigestion or |
| Symptoms of Sudden cardiac arrest include: | | | | a sensation similar to heartburnlightheadedness, |
| Sudden Collapse | | | | shortness of breath, fainting, sweating, nausea or |
| No Breathing | | | | vomitingnervousness or anxietycold, clammy or |
| No Pulse | | | | sweaty skinpalenessirregular heart beatsevere |
| No Signs of Life | | | | weaknessshortness of breath |
| Even though it occurs without any warning some | | | | For the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest or a |
| other symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest may | | | | heart attack it is highly advised that regular checkups |
| include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, | | | | and screening of the heart be made. A change in diet |
| fainting, dizziness and vomiting. Risk factors for | | | | and habits are also recommended including quitting |
| coronary artery disease which can lead to sudden | | | | smoking, eating more nutritious foods and exercising |
| cardiac arrest include smoking, family history of heart | | | | regularly. |