Risk Factors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest – Know These Things before You Get Affected

Defined as sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness, SCA or Sudden Cardiac Arrest is indeed dangerous. If not rescued immediately, SCA can cause permanent heart damage, brain damage and even irreversible death. Early resuscitation like providing high quality CPR, the use of AEDs or Automated External Defibrillators and giving medications are all crucial to prevent the deadly effects of SCA. 

However, as the saying goes, tons of prevention is better than pounds of cure. Why focus on treatment when preventing the condition is much easier? With this article, learn the most common risk factors of SCA and avoid developing this fatal heart condition before it starts to kick in.

1.       Familial history of SCA and Coronary Artery Disease – genetic plays an important role in this life threatening condition, if your parents or grandparents have it, the more likely you will develop SCA. Aside from genetics, CAD or Coronary Artery Disease more commonly known as Atherosclerosis which is the accumulation of plaque deposition within the arterial walls of the heart is also considered to be one of the greatest risk factors that may lead to SCA.

2.       Smoking – as for every disease, smoking is also considered a risk factor in SCA, this is due to the fact that cigarette contain high amounts of nicotine. Nicotine is known to be a notorious a vasoconstrictor meaning it constricts the blood vessels of the body resulting to high blood pressure and increase turbulence of the blood.

3.       High blood cholesterol – hyperlipidemia or increase cholesterol in the blood can also subject you to SCA. Collection of lipids in the blood especially harmful ones like low density lipoprotein which can be found on oily foods, saturated fats, sodium rich meals and fatty dishes are known to increase exposure towards SCA.

4.       Sedentary lifestyle – lack of exercise, increase intake of fatty foods together with drinking too much alcohol are all linked with Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Aside from SCA, sedentary lifestyle is also known to put you on other heart diseases such as heart attack, hypertension, CAD and all others.

5.       Age – age also plays an important role in developing this fatal condition, studies have shown that men after 45 years of age and age 55 for women are more prone to develop Sudden Cardiac Arrest than those lower in age.

To prevent development of SCA it is advised to submit yourself to annual checkups if you are healthy, monthly checkups if you have underlying heart conditions and bi annual check up for older individuals. It is also wise to religiously take your medications as this stops further development of your existing medical condition. Smoking cessation, healthy lifestyle, exercising twice a week, intake of nutritious foods should also be practiced utmost to prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

SCA is preventable; you just need to have a good self discipline and tons of knowledge to fight this lethal heart condition. Remember that if one suffers from SCA, don’t hesitate to help him or her. What you need to do to save his life are the following but not limited to:

-          Calling for help

-         Performing CPR following the new sequence C-A-B or chest compression, airway and breathing

-          Using Automated External Defibrillators present on site

Alway check your Philips Defibrillator Battery and especially model number M5070A. Stop the spread of SCA! Live a healthy life and don’t forget to submit yourself to medical checkups to ensure best health and wellness.