What is a Sudden Cardiac Arrest and how do I protect myself and loved ones?
Sudden cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. The condition usually results from a problem with your heart's electrical system, which disrupts your heart's pumping action and results in the stop of blood flow through out your body.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) accounts for over 300,000 deaths a year with 70% occurring in the home. Right now the survival rate of an out of the hospital cardiac arrest is around 1 in 10. That is a very grim statistic but with the right equipment and training lay responders can help increase those odds significantly.
What other emergencies can happen at the home?
Sudden Cardiac Arrest are not the only life threatening medical emergency that can happen at the home. Chocking can cause over 10,000 deaths a year. Another threat is a fall or accident that results in a life threatening hemorrhage which may only take minutes for someone to loose their lives from.
Check out these sites below for more information.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) focuses on issues brought on by sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The organization identifies, unites and supports SCA survivors, those at risk for SCA, those who are affected by SCA (family, friends, first responders) and those advocating on SCAA issues in their communities. Our chapters are dedicated to promoting solutions to prevent SCA death including:
-
increasing awareness of the debilitating condition
-
promoting immediate bystander action and encouraging
-
encouraging psychological and mental health support for survivors and those who support them
-
improving public access to automated external defibrillation
-
educating our communities on cardiovascular disease prevention
SCAA is a nonprofit, tax exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to SCAA are tax deductible. The association is governed by a Board of Directors and counseled by a medical advisory board composed of physicians and scientists well known for their practice and research in the area of SCA.
SCA Aware
Our vision is to eliminate preventable death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest and support people affected by SCA. Our mission is to raise public awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and promote initiatives that help save lives through education, research, and community.
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is a national community benefit 501(c)(3) organization based in Pittsburgh, PA. We are working to stimulate attitudinal and behavioral changes that will help save more lives. Specifically, we seek “To raise awareness and support programs that give ‘ordinary people’ the power to save a life."
American Heart Association
Cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. It can come on suddenly or in the wake of other symptoms. Cardiac arrest is often fatal if appropriate steps aren’t taken immediately.
Learn more about cardiac arrest.
For nearly 100 years, the American Heart Association has been fighting heart disease and stroke and helping families and communities thrive. Explore the map below to see how your support has made a difference in our nation and in the places you and your loved ones call home.