A cardiac arrest is a sudden event that occurs without any warning. It is also called heart death because it occurs when the heart stops beating. It starts when our heart’s activity is chaotic. Cardiac arrest is normally caused by either fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. To survive cardiac arrest, prompt medical attention is crucial. In this blog post, we share the top 10 facts about cardiac arrest.
1. Is Fatal 95% of the Time
One of the most important facts that you need to know about a cardiac arrest is that it has an extremely high mortality rate. Around 95% who experience the condition die.
2. Over 450,000 Suffer from the Condition Ever Year
More than 450,000 experience cardiac arrest every year. It means that about 427,500 people die from the condition, with or without any medical assistance. However, it is important to note that those who receive CPR or use a defibrillator within 4 minutes have a much higher rate of survival.
3. A Cardiac Arrest Is Not A Heart Attack
Many people have a misconception that a cardiac arrest and a heart attack are the same. However, that could not be further from the truth. The two are vastly different. A heart attack is something temporary. It is where the blood flow to the heart is temporarily blocked. On the other hand, in a cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating.
4. Emergency Response Time Is Around 6 to 12 Minutes
When it comes to a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a minute might be fine. However, they would be dead by the next minute. Although it is important to call 999, the average response tends to be around 6 to 12 minutes which is more than four minutes. Hence, everyone should train in first aid Wirral or at least CPR.
5. A Defibrillator Only Increases The Rate of Survival Mildly
Even though the use of a defibrillator and CPR help restart the heart, they only work 7 to 10 percent of the time. A lot of the time, there is nothing that can be done.
6. SCA Kills Americans More Than Any Other Condition
You might think that a heart attack, a drug overdose, or cancer would be the greatest killer. However, SCA kills more people in the United States than any other condition. It kills more people than lung cancer, breast cancer, and AIDS.
7. SCA Occurs At Any Age
It is common for people to think that an older person would experience SCA. However, anyone can suffer from the condition at any age.
8. The Majority of Cardiac Arrests Occur At Home
As much as 75 percent of all cardiac arrests occur at home.
9. Heart Disease Is the Major Cause of SCA
The most common cause of SCA is abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia.
10. People Who Play Sports Are More Likely To Experience SCA
Studies reveal that people who are involved in contact sports tend to be at a greater risk of suffering from a cardiac arrest.
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