Of the many diseases that afflict mankind, sudden cardiac arrest is among the most insidious. Basically, it is the sudden, unexpected cessation of all regular heart activity. As you’ll read later, there is a little more to it than that – but this is a good, workable definition for now.
The Problem
Sudden cardiac arrest, or SCA, although more common among the elderly, is not limited to a particular age group. Children, athletes, people in the prime of life, just about anyone can experience SCA. The reason lies in the fact that there are a number of different triggering factors. One of the more common is the regular heart attack, where one or both of the coronary arteries become blocked by fatty deposits and plaque, causing reduced blood supply to the heart muscle. In fact, sudden cardiac arrest is often preceded by one or more heart attacks. Other triggering factors include: congestive heart disease; sudden, heavy impact to the chest area; and congenital (present at birth) heart defects.
Survival rates among sudden cardiac arrest victims are quite dismal. Less than five per cent of people suffering cardiac arrest outside of a medical facility survive. This is in great part due to the fact that a person only has approximately four to six minutes to receive medical attention before the onset of brain and body death. The time-frame is painfully short because of what happens to the heart during sudden cardiac arrest.
Unlike a heart attack, in the case of sudden cardiac arrest an electrical malfunction occurs in the lower chambers of the heart, causing it to “fibrillate”. Fibrillation is a condition where the heart ceases to beat, instead going into a chaotic quivering motion. Because this happens in the lower chambers of the heart known as the ventricles, it is known as the ventricular fibrillation. At this point the body and brain are no longer receiving oxygen and unless the heart resumes normal beating within several minutes, brain damage then body death will follow.
Over 250,000 deaths a year occur in the US due to sudden cardiac arrest. So what can we do about it? Well, in the first place, a knowledge of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), is great for anyone to have under their belt – especially those of us who live with people who have known heart disease and are at high risk of heart problems. This can be used on a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, but it’s rate of success is poor.
So What Can Be Done?
The ideal solution would be to have a defibrillator near the victim at the time of the crisis. But home-use, portable defibrillators are very under-used today, mainly because the public is not as aware of them as they should be. This is the same basic device paramedics use on victims of sudden cardiac arrest once they reach the scene. Unfortunately, due to the small widow of opportunity open to save the person’s life, these attempts often arrive too late.
Automated external defibrillators are not new, but, in their present form (since about the mid 90’s) they really have become a new and revolutionary device. Once only seen in the hands of trained professionals, they can now be bought for less than the cost of an overnight stay at your local hospital (Ok, I know, so can a trip to the Bahamas or a hundred year old Ming Vase – well why don’t I be a little more specific). You can pick one up for well under $1,500, possibly even under a thousand if you’re willing to shop around.
They are able to talk a non-trained rescuer through the entire defibrillation process – and that after determining if defibrillation is even necessary. Some units will even talk the rescuer through CPR if it is needed.
So what does this mean for people at most risk?
It means they don’t have to worry about the paramedics’ arriving “too late”. These devices are portable. If they want to go out to dinner or the movies, they can take it along. If the worst does happen they can rest easier in the knowledge that survival rates increase from 5% to around 75% if defibrillation is administered within several minutes of the onset of sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest has been tamed by the introduction of this new breed of defibrillator. What we need now is more public awareness and education. And we need to see more portable defibrillators in homes (where 80% of victims are when SCA strikes) and offices around the county.
We also need to see portable defibrillators available in schools, colleges, and universities. It’s not uncommon to hear of young athletes or college students suffering cardiac arrest and dieing because medical crews couldn’t reach the scene in time.
What to expect
Given that some of the above positives happen, we should someday see mortality rates from sudden cardiac arrest begin a dramatic decline. But let’s hope it happens sooner rather than later.
Spread the word won’t you!?
And On That Note:
if you would like to increase awareness of this subject, copy and email this article to your local congressman or congresswoman – in fact anyone you know who might benefit from the information.
Graham Hobbs is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Automated External Defibrillator [http://www.defibrillator-automated-external.com] where you can find resources and info. about sudden cardiac arrest [http://www.defibrillator-automated-external.com/sudden cardiac arrest.htm].
