About Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) often happens without warning, and when it happens, it is often devastating. It can happen to anyone, anywhere and at anytime. SCA is indiscriminate to age, race or gender.
The simple truth is that SCA strikes from 400,000 to 460,000 people a year in North America – annually! That’s roughly the number of breast cancer, lung cancer, AIDS, and stroke deaths combined. It occurs abruptly and without warning, with 84 percent of SCA events occurring away from a healthcare setting. In addition, an estimated 14,000 children and infants die annually from SCA.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHO), 15% of workplace fatalities are due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
SCA is a malfunction of the heart’s electrical system, which causes it to suddenly and unexpectedly begin to beat rapidly, then erratically, and finally to stop altogether. Two of the most common onsets are a rapid heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia (VT) and a chaotic heartbeat called ventricular fibrillation (VF).
When this happens, the heart cannot pump blood effectively. As such, blood flow to the brain is compromised and the victim quickly loses consciousness.
During SCA, CPR alone will not restart the heart. Defibrillation within minutes is the only effective means to restart the heart. Survival from cardiac arrest decreases 10% each minute from time of collapse to defibrillation.
Is SCA The Same As A Heart Attack?
No. A heart attack is when a blockage in an artery results in the lack of oxygen getting to the heart muscle, ultimately causing damage. Heart attack victims may experience chest pain and usually remain conscious. Heart attacks are serious and can lead to SCA. However, SCA may occur independently from a heart attack and without warning. SCA results in death if not treated immediately.
What Is Defibrillation?
Defibrillation is the delivery of a lifesaving electrical energy to the heart during an abnormal rhythm. Electricity is passed through the heart from electrodes placed on the chest.
Who Is At Risk?
People with the highest risk are those with a personal or family history of heart problems, coronary artery disease, diabetes or stroke.
However, SCA is unpredictable and can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere – large, small, smokers, non-smokers, ill or healthy.
More than 270 young people die from SCA every week and an alarming 24,000 adults – many are unaware that they have heart issues prior to an event. SCA often occurs in active, outwardly healthy people with no known heart disease or other health problems.
If SCA Occurs, Can CPR Save The Victim?
It is a common misconception to believe that CPR alone and calling the emergency services is enough.
CPR is a temporary measure that maintains blood flow and oxygen to the brain. It will not return a heart to a normal rhythm during ventricular fibrillation (VF). The key to survival is defibrillation – and the sooner the better.
Only defibrillation can restart a heart to a normal rhythm.
What Does An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Do?
A processor inside the AED analyzes the victim’s heart rhythm through adhesive electrodes placed on a patient’s chest.
The processor analyzes the heart rhythm and advises if a shock is required. An electric current is delivered to the heart through the victim’s chest wall through the adhesive electrode pads.
AEDs are specifically designed not to shock unless a lifesaving shock is required.
The shock delivered by a defibrillator interrupts the chaotic rhythm and allows it to return to normal.
Why Do You Need A HeartSine® Automated External Defibrillator?
The HeartSine device can be used by anyone, anytime, or anywhere to administer a lifesaving shock to victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
With CPR alone the chance of survival after SCA is less than 5%; when CPR is combined with the use of an AED within the first few minutes, the chance of survival can increase dramatically to over 75%.
Having a HeartSine AED on the premises gives the victim the best chance of survival until paramedics arrive and take over care.
HeartSine AEDs save lives!
How to Purchase
HeartSine AED products and solutions are available through a variety of Authorized Channel Partners. Please contact us for a HeartSine Channel Product Specialist near you.