Sudden cardiac arrest is a significant public health concern in the US, with over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring annually, and nearly 90% of these are fatal.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
• Prevalence:
• More than 356,000 people experience a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the US.
• Nearly 90% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are fatal.
• Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States.
• It causes half of all heart disease deaths.
• Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack:
• Cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function, while a heart attack (myocardial infarction) is a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
• Sudden cardiac arrest can happen in people with and without heart disease.
• Survival Rates:
• Only about 10% of people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, even with paramedic treatment.
• Immediate CPR and AED use can significantly increase survival rates.
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young People:
• Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death for student athletes.
• About 2,000 young, seemingly healthy people under the age of 25 die each year of sudden cardiac arrest in the United States.
• In individuals under 35, sudden cardiac death is rare, with an incidence of 1 to 3 per 100,000 per year.
• Causes of Sudden Cardiac Death:
• The most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest is an irregular heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation.
• Some heart conditions can make you more likely to have this type of irregular heartbeat.
• Inherited cardiac arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, and coronary artery anomalies are major causes in younger people.
• Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause in older patients.
• What to do in case of Sudden Cardiac Arrest:
• Call 911 immediately.
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available.
• Cardiac Arrest – What Is Cardiac Arrest? | NHLBI, NIH
May 19, 2022
NHLBI
• Latest Statistics | Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
• CPR Facts and Stats – American Heart Association CPR
In one year alone, 436,000 Americans die from a cardiac arrest. … More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospita…
American Heart Association CPR
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This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.