What is sudden cardiac arrest? First off Sudden Cardiac Arrest or SCA is often called Sudden Cardiac Death, and you will see why in a moment. Sudden cardiac Arrest is quite simply when the heart unexpectedly and suddenly stops beating.

When this happens blood flow to the brain and other vital organs stops. Sudden Cardiac Arrest will cause certain death if not treated immediately.

Fact: 95% of people who experience Sudden Cardiac Arrest die within minutes. Rapid treatment of CPR and an AED (automated external defibrillator can be the difference between life and death. AED's are found today in most airports, government buildings and office buildings. CPR certification classes can be taken in an afternoon and are very affordable considering that they could be used to save someones life.

Basically your heart has an internal electrical system that controls the rhythm. Problems with this electrical system is what causes arrhythmias(ah-RITH-me-ahs) or abnormal heart rhythms. Some arrhythmias can cause the heart to beat to fast, others to slow and some can cause the heart to stop beating altogether. Sudden Cardiac Arrest occurs when the heart develops an arrhythmia that causes the heart to stop beating.

Fact: Sudden Cardiac Arrest kills over 900 adults each day in the USA. That comes out to about 335,000 of the 550,000 annual deaths from coronary heart disease. To say that it is a serious problem would be an understatement.

SCA however is not to be confused with a heart attack. A heart attack is caused by blood flow being blocked to part of the heart muscle. A heart attack usually does not cause the heart to suddenly just stop beating. However Sudden Cardiac Arrest may happen during recovery from a heart attack.

Although people with heart disease are at higher risk, SCA often happens in people who appear healthy and have no known heart disease or other risk factors for Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a serious problem and can strike when least expected. Are you and your loved ones at risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?

Would you know if you were at risk? Do you know the signs and symptoms? Get more advice on Health & Safety, more articles and more knowledge. Learn why you need to be CPR/AED Certified.