Out of hospital treatment

Unless appropriate medical care is given immediately, sudden cardiac arrest is fatal. The chances of survival are vastly improved if cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is administered, as this can keep blood flowing to vital organs and prevent brain death. Several organizations, including the American Heart Association, promote a “chain of survival” which has the following steps.

• Early recognition

• Early CPR

• Early defibrillation

• Early advanced care

Early recognition is a key to survival, as a person’s chance of survival drops by around 10% for every minute they are in cardiac arrest.  If someone falls unconscious and you suspect a possible cardiac arrest then dial for an ambulance immediately and commence CPR.

Early CPR is important because it can double or triple a cardiac arrest victims chance of survival. If you don’t know how to do CPR then administering rapid compressions to the chest will improve the chance of survival until medical help arrives as the lack of oxygenated blood to the brain can cause damage within only a few minutes. If an unconscious person is breathing then it is unlikely they have had a cardiac arrest, but if they are not breathing then push hard and fast on their chest at a rate of around 100 compressions per minute until they are either breathing or help arrives. Now would be a good time to learn CPR and if you don’t want to take a class then there are plenty of resources on the web to teach the correct way to give rescue breaths.

Early defibrillation has been proven to be an effective treatment. A defibrillator delivers an electric shock to get the heart back into a normal rhythm. The shock will normally be given by the emergency personnel, but an increasing number of public places have them available, and an emergency medical operator can instruct you how to use it over the phone while waiting for an ambulance.

Early advanced care is the fourth and final step and usually involves Life Support.

Hospital treatment

Once the patient arrives at the hospital various treatments may be given to stabilize them, including defibrillation, drugs and CPR. Some people may be in a coma and some may only recover partially and have impaired brain function. Sometimes a doctor will induce hypothermia as this has been shown to improve the recovery outcome.

Following stabilization there are a range of long-term options including

• Using anti-arrhythmic drugs

• Impalnting an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

• Coronary bypass surgery

• Coronary angioplasty

• Heart surgery

• Heart transplant 

The choice of options will require several tests to determine what is right for each individual person.

How to prevent sudden cardiac arrest

As always, prevention is better than cure. Preventing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is largely about adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle combined with regular medical monitoring. This means eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting unhealthy fats, sodium, and sugars.

Engaging in regular physical activity, such as 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise weekly, is crucial for maintaining a healthy heart and weight. Managing cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes through both lifestyle changes and medications as prescribed is essential. Additionally, avoiding smoking and moderating alcohol consumption are key preventative measures. Regular health screenings are important to detect any underlying conditions that might increase the risk of SCA, especially for individuals with a family history of heart disease.

Being aware of and promptly responding to heart problem symptoms, such as chest pain or irregular heartbeat, is critical. Stress management techniques can also play a role in maintaining heart health. For those on heart-related medications, adherence to the prescribed regimen is vital. If you have a heart condition then keep a close eye on your cholesterol levels and discuss options with your doctor.