What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?
SCA is a condition where the electrical system of the heart short circuits, causing an abnormal rhythm known as ventricular fibrillation.
A victim of sudden cardiac arrest is unconscious, is not breathing and has no pulse. When the heart stops beating there is a lack of oxygen to the brain and a patient will die unless emergency treatment is given immediately. Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery results in damage to the heart muscle by keeping blood and oxygen flowing to it. A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is one of the leading causes of death around the world.
It strikes 40,000 people in Canada every year.
Only 5 – 10% of victims survive.
Every minute of every day SCA claims a victim.
Victims of all ages have been documented including teens, athletes, young and older adults.
The time between the onset of cardiac arrest and defibrillation is the major determinant for success in a resuscitation attempt. While cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can support circulation and ventilation in a victim of cardiac arrest for a short period of time, it is unlikely to convert ventricular fibrillation (VF) to a normal heart rhythm.
