Are You at Risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: October 31, 2012
Every year more than 350,000 Americans die of sudden cardiac arrest. Caused by an irregular heart beat,it's one of the leading causes of death in this country.
SCA most often occurs in people with heart disease, especially those with heart failure who've had a heart attack. But a family history of sudden cardiac death or being of African American descent can raise your risk.
Dr. Walter Clair is an associate Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and leads the Heart Rhythm Society Initiative.
He says, "there are many people, particularly the young, who have normal coronary arteries, no blockages whatsoever and yet they're still at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. "
Signs you could be at risk of sudden cardiac arrest include heart flutter, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and passing out.
SCA is caused by an irregular heart rhythm in contrast to a heart attack, which is caused by clogged arteries.
For more information on sudden cardiac arrest, go to www.arresttherisk.org.
SCA most often occurs in people with heart disease, especially those with heart failure who've had a heart attack. But a family history of sudden cardiac death or being of African American descent can raise your risk.
Dr. Walter Clair is an associate Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and leads the Heart Rhythm Society Initiative.
He says, "there are many people, particularly the young, who have normal coronary arteries, no blockages whatsoever and yet they're still at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. "
Signs you could be at risk of sudden cardiac arrest include heart flutter, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and passing out.
SCA is caused by an irregular heart rhythm in contrast to a heart attack, which is caused by clogged arteries.
For more information on sudden cardiac arrest, go to www.arresttherisk.org.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.