Download Preventing SCA Fact sheet

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Phone: (202) 71$8909
Toll-Free: (86) S72-SCAA {n22}
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Fax: {202) 719-8983
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SUDDEN CARDTAC
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PREVENTION
One of the most devastating aspects of sudden cardiac arrest is that it often strikes active,
apparently healthy individuals. How then, can sudden cardiac anest be prevented?
The first step is to lead a heaft-healthy lifestyle.
Eat a heart-healthy diet.
Exercise regularly.
Lose weight if you are ovenrueight or obese.
Take your medications as ordered by your doctor.
Drink aleohol only in moderation.
Do not smoke.
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A heart-healthy lifestyle is important in the prevention of coronary artery disease and other heart
conditions. Eighty percent of SCA victims have signs of coronary artery disease.
Many individuals do have signs or symptoms that could indicate an increased risk for sudden
cardiac arrest.
An abnormal heart rate or rhythm (called an arrhythmia)
rapid heart rate, even when at rest (tachycardia)
Episodes of fainting (syncope)
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ln addition, there are clear indicators that suggest high risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
Prior sudden cardiac arrest
Prior heaft attack
Heart failure - Class ll to lV
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Heart Failure, often called congestive heart failure or CHF, is a condition in which the
heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. The heart doesn't
"fail" in the sense of ceasing to beat (as occurs during a heart attack). Rather, it weakens,
usually over the course of months or years, so that it is unable to pump out all the blood
that enters its chambers. As a result, fluids tend to build up in the lungs and tissues,
causing congestion (hence the name "congestive" heart fuilure).
The New York Heart Association (NYHA) developed a widely-used classification system
to grade congestive heart failure by severity of symptoms
Class
l:
No limitation of physical activity. No shodness of breath, fatigue, or heart
palpitations with ordinary physical activity.
Class
ll:
Slight limitation of physical activity. Shortness of breath, fatigue, or heart
palpitations with ordinary physical activity, but patients are comfortable at rest.
Class
lll:
Marked limitation of activity. Shortness of breath, fatigue, or heart palpitations
with less thanordinary physical activity, but patients are comfortable at rest.
Class
.
lV:
Severe to complete limitation of activity. Shortness of breath, fatigue, or heart
palpitations with anyphysical exertion and symptoms appear even at rest.
Ejection fraction less than 40olo
An ejection fraction (EF) is one measurements used to assess how well the heart is
functioning. 'Ejection" refers to the amount of blood that is pumped out of the heart's main
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pumping chamber during each heartbeat. "Fraction" refers to the fact that, even in a
healthy heart, some blood always remains within this chamber after each heartbeat.
Therefore an ejection fraction is a percentage of the blood within the ciamber that is
pumped outwith every heartbeat. An EF of 55 to 75 percent is considered normal. A
higher than normal ejection fraction could indicate the presence of certain heart
conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy- A low ejection ftaction could be a sign
that the heart is weakened.
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Family history of sudden cardiac arrest
Consult a cardiologist or electrophysiologist (a cardiologist who specialized in the electrical
function of the heart) if you have any risk fuctors for sudden cardiac anesl.
By controlling underlying medical conditions or abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to sudden
cardiac arrest, risk can be greatly reduced. One approach to controlling arrhythmias includes drug
therapies. The most common classes of these drugs include beta blockers, ACE inhibitors and
statins.
Beta bloekers work on the heart and circulatory system, reducing blood pressure and having other
beneficial effects on the heart and circulation. Atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (lnderal) are
common examples.
ACE lnhibitors are a group of drugs originally developed to lower high blood pressure. The first
ACE inhibitor was captopril (Capoten). Now there are 11 ACE inhibitors and they are used for
other heart conditions as well.
Statins are a relatively new group of drugs used to lower blood cholesterol levels. The best known
statins are simvastatin (Zoco$ and atorvastatin (Lipitor). A high cholesterol level increases a
person's risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The long-term use of statins reduces the risk of
such an event and can increase the life expectancy of people with a history of heart disease.
ln some cases, lifestyle changes and drug therapies will not significantly reduce your risk for
Sudden Cardiac Arrest and surgical treatment options, including an implantable cardioverter
defibrillator (lCD) may be considered.
The sudden Cardiac Arr6t Association's mission is to prevent lrc of life from
sudden cardiac affest. We sffik to increase awareness, encourage training lor
immediate bystander action, increase public access to defibrillation and promote lhe
use of available medical devics and therapies, pincipally, implantable ardiovefter
deftbnlbbrs (lCD). SCAA members are the beneticiaies of improved science and
medical technology, coupled with the wisdom and canng of thousands of physicians.
For more infomation, please visit us at w.suddenardiacarest.org