sudden cardiac arrest Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), also called cardiac arrest, is not the same as a heart attack. Often confused, the two problems have different origins, causes and outcomes. SCA is a leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for half of all heart-related deaths. Heart Attack Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Other names Myocardial Infarction (MI) Cardiac Arrest Cause Clogged arteries (coronary artery disease) Electrical problems that makes two of the heart’s four chambers quiver instead of contract. Heart rhythm disorders called ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). What happens clogs block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, which may cause some heart muscle to die chambers stop effectively pumping blood; no oxygen-rich blood gets to the brain or the body; person passes out and dies in minutes if no treatment is provided. Likelihood of making it to the hospital People usually survive. Many victims carry medicines, such as nitroglycerin, that help prevent or limit heart attacks. Many arrive at the hospital for emergency treatment. Unlikely. The majority who have SCA die within a few minutes, often even before an ambulance arrives. Warning signs Usually symptoms, like chest pain, appear. They may be mild at first and become more severe. Usually no warning. All of a sudden, the heart beats extremely fast and/or irregularly. Advance notice High blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, lack of exercise, etc. Victims often are active and appear healthy and free of heart disease. However, it usually turns out that they had health problems, often coronary artery disease, and may not know it. Emergency treatments medicines, procedures to clear blocked vessels. CPR can help a lot. an emergency shock to the heart using the “paddles” of a machine called a defibrillator. Avoiding SCA Since SCA victims usually die very quickly, the best way to prevent death is to figure out which people are in danger of having SCA and take steps to stop SCA. Certain medical tests can help determine if someone may be at high risk for cardiac arrest. Many involve recording heart rhythms to detect problems. Living a “heart healthy” life through regular exercise, healthful eating, weight management and not smoking are very important. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are implanted in certain high-risk patients. If the device detects a dangerous heart rhythm, it delivers an electrical shock to the heart that restores a normal rhythm within seconds, saving the person’s life. Taking medications can sometimes control abnormal heart rhythms or treat other conditions that may contribute to heart disease or SCA. But, medications alone are not very effective in preventing cardiac arrest. Doctors sometimes use heat to destroy small areas of heart muscle that give rise to the abnormal electrical signals that cause dangerous heart rhythms. One effective procedure is called catheter ablation.