Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm. Breathing stops. The person becomes unconscious. Without immediate treatment, sudden cardiac arrest can lead to death.
Emergency treatment for sudden cardiac arrest includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shocks to the heart with a device called an automated external defibrillator (AED). Survival is possible with fast, appropriate medical care.
Sudden cardiac arrest isn't the same as a heart attack. A heart attack happens when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is not due to a blockage. However, a heart attack can cause a change in the heart's electrical activity that leads to sudden cardiac arrest.
Symptoms
Symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest are immediate and severe and include:
Sudden collapse.
No pulse.
No breathing.
Loss of consciousness.
Sometimes other symptoms occur before sudden cardiac arrest. These might include:
Chest discomfort.
Shortness of breath.
Weakness.
Fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart called palpitations.
But sudden cardiac arrest often occurs with no warning.
When to see a doctor
When the heart stops, the lack of oxygen-rich blood can quickly cause death or permanent brain damage.
Call 911 or emergency medical services for these symptoms:
Chest pain or discomfort.
Feeling of a pounding heartbeat.
Rapid or irregular heartbeats.
Unexplained wheezing.
Shortness of breath.
Fainting or near fainting.
Lightheadedness or dizziness.
If you see someone who's unconscious and not breathing, call 911 or local emergency services. Then start CPR. The American Heart Association recommends doing CPR with hard and fast chest compressions. Use an automated external defibrillator, called an AED, if one is available.
Causes
A change in the heart's electrical activity causes sudden cardiac arrest. The change makes the heart stop pumping blood. No blood flow goes to the body.
Heart conditions that can cause sudden cardiac arrest include:
Coronary artery disease. Sudden cardiac arrest may occur if the heart arteries become clogged with cholesterol and other deposits, reducing blood flow to the heart.
Heart attack. If a heart attack occurs, often as a result of severe coronary artery disease, it can trigger ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest. Also, a heart attack can leave scar tissue in the heart. The scar tissue can cause changes in the heartbeat.
Enlarged heart called cardiomyopathy. This condition usually happens when the walls in the heart muscle stretch. The heart muscle gets bigger or thicker.
Heart valve disease. Leaking or narrowing of the heart valves can lead to stretching or thickening of the heart muscle. When the chambers become enlarged or weakened because of stress caused by a tight or leaking valve, there's an increased risk of developing a heart rhythm problem.
Heart problem present at birth, called a congenital heart defect. Sudden cardiac arrest in children or adolescents is often due to a heart problem that they're born with. Adults who've had repair surgery for a congenital heart defect also have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) and other heart signaling problems. Conditions such as long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome cause the heart to beat in an unorganized way. If the heart rhythm isn't quickly restored, sudden death can occur. Young people with LQTS are especially at risk of sudden death.
Risk factors
The same things that increase the risk of heart disease can raise the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. These include:
A family history of coronary artery disease.
Smoking.
High blood pressure.
High blood cholesterol.
Obesity.
Diabetes.
An inactive lifestyle.
Prevention
Keeping the heart healthy may help prevent sudden cardiac arrest. You can do this by:
Eating healthy.
Getting regular checkups.
Not smoking or using tobacco.
Being screened for heart disease.
Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.
