Sudden Cardiac Arrest Education and Information
What is sudden cardiac arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is when the heart stops beating, suddenly and unexpectedly.
When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. SCA is NOT a heart attack. A heart attack may cause SCA, but they are not the same. A heart attack is caused by a blockage that stops the flow of blood to the heart. SCA is a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system, causing the heart to suddenly stop beating.
If not treated within minutes, SCA results in death. The normal rhythm of the heart can only be restored with defibrillation, an electrical shock that is safely delivered to the chest by an automated external defibrillator (AED).
How common is sudden cardiac arrest?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that every year there are about 300,000 cardiac arrests outside hospitals. About 2,000 patients under 25 die of SCA each year.
Are there warning signs?
Although SCA happens unexpectedly, some people may have signs or symptoms, such as:
dizziness;
lightheadedness;
shortness of breath;
difficulty breathing;
racing or fluttering heartbeat (palpitations);
syncope (fainting);
fatigue (extreme tiredness);
weakness;
nausea;
vomiting; and
chest pains.
These symptoms can be unclear and confusing in athletes. Often, people confuse these warning signs with physical exhaustion. SCA can be prevented if the underlying causes can be diagnosed and treated.
What are the risks of practicing or playing after experiencing these symptoms?
There are risks associated with continuing to practice or play after experiencing these symptoms. When the heart stops, so does the blood that flows to the brain and other vital organs. Death or permanent brain damage can occur in just a few minutes. Most people who have SCA die from it. Symptoms are the body’s way of indicating that something might be wrong. Athletes who experience one or more symptoms should get checked out.
Adapted from PA Department of Health: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Symptoms and Warning Signs Information Sheet 7/2012