Can a healthy person have sudden cardiac arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest isn’t the same as a heart attack. Someone in the prime of their life — a professional sports star, teen athlete, marathon runner, or other seemingly healthy person — isn’t supposed to collapse and die from heart disease. But it occasionally happens, making sudden cardiac arrest front-page news.

What causes cardiac arrest in healthy adults?

Most cardiac arrests occur when a diseased heart’s electrical system malfunctions. This malfunction causes an abnormal heart rhythm such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Some cardiac arrests are also caused by extreme slowing of the heart’s rhythm (bradycardia).

What is most common cause of sudden cardiac death?

Most sudden cardiac deaths are caused by abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias. The most common life-threatening arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation, which is an erratic, disorganized firing of impulses from the ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers).

What is the most likely indication that someone has experienced a sudden cardiac arrest?

The first and often only symptom of Sudden Cardiac Arrest is loss of consciousness (fainting) due to lack of blood to the brain. At the same time, no heartbeat or pulse can be felt.

Can stress cause sudden cardiac arrest?

“Stress causes an increase in blood pressure, inflammation, and even cholesterol levels — all of which increases the likelihood of a heart attack, and, subsequently, sudden cardiac arrest,” Dr.

Who defines Sudden cardiac death?

Sudden cardiac death is defined as natural death due to cardiac causes, heralded by abrupt loss of consciousness within one hour after the onset of symptoms.

How does sudden cardiac arrest happen?

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and often without warning. It is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs.