Sudden cardiac death is unexpected sudden death due to a heart condition that leads to the stoppage of the heart. This is often related to a disturbance in the heart rhythm. The unexpected death happens within one hour from the onset of symptoms. About half of all deaths from heart diseases are caused by sudden cardiac death, which is a major cause of death that affects men more than women.
It often happens immediately without warning and includes loss of consciousness, no pulse, and no breathing however, some patients may suffer from other symptoms before this such as:
Palpitations
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Weakness
The Patient should be transferred to the hospital immediately, and should follow up with a Cardiologist afterwards
Coronary artery disease (The main cause in 80% of cases)
Heart muscles disease
Being born with a heart defect
Genetic heart disease
Disturbances in heart rhythm
Valvular heart disease
Risk factors:
Previous heart attack
Family history of sudden cardiac death
Growing older
Male gender
Physical inactivity
High blood pressure
Diabetes
High blood cholesterol
Obesity
Smoking
Physical examination: Loss of consciousness, no pulse, and no breathing.
Electrocardiogram (a simple test to examine the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart using skin-attached sensors to detect the electrical signals produced by the heart during each beat).
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation “CPR”: A life-saving procedure during cardiac arrest, it’s done by chest compressions to make the heart beat again and by giving the patient rescue breaths if needed.
Defibrillator: A device used to give a high electric shock to the heart in a patient with cardiac arrest to restore a normal heartbeat.
After surviving, the leading cause of sudden cardiac death should be diagnosed and treated.
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