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What is SCA?

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SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart enters a chaotic rhythm. It is usually the result of a disturbance in your heart that disrupts the pumping action. In basic terms, this stops the blood flow to the rest of your body. If it isn’t treated immediately, there is a high chance it will lead to Sudden Cardiac Death. Each minute something isn’t done, their chance of survival drops by 10%.

For example, here’s what a “normal” heartbeat looks like:

And here’s what happens to the heart when it experiences an SCA:

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF SOMEONE
IS EXPERIENCING AN SCA?

The symptoms of an SCA are immediate and include:

  • Sudden collapse
  • No pulse
  • No breathing
  • Loss of consciousness

It can and will strike without warning – are you prepared?

WHO CAN SUFFER FROM AN SCA?

An SCA can hit anyone, anywhere, at any time.
However, several risks that can increase the likelihood of it occurring.

THIS INCLUDES:

  • A family history of coronary artery disease or another form of heart disease/heart problems
  • Smoking
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure or cholesterol
  • Obesity or diabetes
  • Little to no exercise
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Age – the risk of SCA increases as you get older
  • Being male – men are two to three times more likely to suffer from an SCA than women
  • A history of heart attacks
  • Using illegal drugs
  • Nutritional imbalance, such as low potassium or magnesium levels

HOW SERIOUS ARE THEY?

  • Globally, over seven million people are impacted annually
  • More than 30,000 people in the UK suffer from an out of hospital SCA every year (British Heart Foundation)
  • Only 5 to 10% of people currently survive an SCA
  • 84% of SCA events occur outside of a healthcare setting
  • The average response time for emergency services is around eight to ten minutes, and every minute that passes without defibrillation reduces survival rate by 7-10%

HEART ATTACK VS SCA

Sudden Cardiac Arrests and Heart Attacks are often used synonymously with one another. However, they are very different conditions that have varying causes, symptoms, and treatment. Even though heart attacks can lead to an SCA, it’s important to know the difference. In basic terms, a heart attack is a ‘plumbing’ problem, whereas an SCA is an ‘electrical’ problem.

Heart Attack

A heart attack is caused when the blood supply to the heart is blocked, but the heart keeps beating. The patient is conscious, breathing and can be talking, but has symptoms such as pains in one or both arms and chest. There are other possible symptoms such as cold sweats, nausea and feeling lightheaded.

 

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

An SCA occurs when the heart’s electrical system goes haywire, causing an arrhythmia. There are many types of arrhythmias. The arrhythmia that causes SCA is one where the heart stops pumping blood to the brain and other vital organs. An SCA can happen to anyone regardless of age, fitness, or diet.

HEART ATTACK VS SCA