Sudden Cardiac Arrest

This blog is about the various causes of sudden cardiac arrest and how you can minimize the risk of one.

 A sudden cardiac arrest may cause one to collapse or crumple. The risk of a fatality is very great in such cases.

This happens because a sudden cardiac arrest disrupts the blood circulation in your body. Blood is pumped all through your body by a naturally installed electric system in your heart, made of a set of cells known as the Sinoatrial node. The Sinoatrial node generates these electrical sparks which allow the heart to regulate blood flow in a uniform manner.

One of the leading causes of a sudden cardiac arrest is a condition where the electrical system of your heart dysfunctions and begins to generate electric impulses erratically. Such a condition is caused by an arrhythmia, known as ventricular fibrillation.

Although the name suggests an SCA is unpredicted in most cases, it always occurs due to some underlying heart problem. A sudden cardiac arrest, in most cases may occur due to:

  • A family history of heart diseases
  • High blood pressures
  • High levels of cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Drinking
  • Consumption of illegal drugs

What causes an arrhythmia?

Most of the times, a life-threatening condition such as an arrhythmia is caused due to underlying heart diseases, often undiagnosed. Such diseases/ conditions may include:

CHD

CHD is known as Coronary Heart Diseases. In this disease, a waxy substance known as plaque clogs your arteries and narrows down the passage for blood to flow. This shrinks the artery size and reduces the blood flow overall. With a reduced blood flow, the circulation slows down and blood clots may form. This leads to an artery rupture, and as a result, deficiency of oxygen.

Cardiomyopathy

In such a situation, the muscles walls of your heart expand and enlarge. This thickens your heart’s muscle and makes it difficult to regulate blood flow. Such an abnormality results in tissue damage, leading to arrhythmias.

Valvular Heart Disease

Flap-like muscles are located on the upper chambers of your heart. These valves allow a smooth flow of blood to and from your heart, by expanding and contracting per heart beat. In a valvular heart diseases, these flap-like muscles enlarge abnormally, causing a leakage of blood flow. This could lead to the developing of a threatening arrhythmia.

QT Syndrome

A QT Syndrome is an innate heart abnormality. The basic problem lies in the heart’s electrical systems, instead of the organ instead. The electrical system may generate electrical impulses that are too inflated or deflated, which results in unsynchronized rhythm and rate. An artery may rupture due to a blockage or pressure which results in oxygen deficiency.

What to do?

If you were diagnosed with such heart diseases and are exposed to high risks of a sudden cardiac arrest, you must take the necessary measures of prevention. Such a measure includes carrying an AED.

It is always suggested to keep an Automated External Defibrillator, which is a portable device that sends electric shocks throughout your body that automatically begins to regulate your blood flow in case of an SCA.

Dial 1-800-441-8378 to contact AED Market or visit our official website to secure your future and buy your own customized AED.

AedCardiac arrestNew aedSudden cardiac arrest