Sudden Cardiac Arrest: From Awareness to Prevention

 Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is one of the leading causes of death in the United States claiming more lives than lung cancer, breast cancer and AIDS combined. Each year more than 335,000 people die of SCA (a sudden and abrupt loss of heart function caused by a chaotic heart rhythm disturbance, resulting in death, if not prevented with early defibrillation). Heart rhythm problems that result in SCA are related to the electrical impulses and muscle strength of the heart and can attack anyone of almost any age. Despite best practice efforts, it is estimated that only 20-30% of those that have indication or are at risk for SCA are receiving treatment to prevent it.