Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden Cardiac Death (pronunciation: SUH-den KAR-dee-ak DEATH) is a condition where the heart unexpectedly stops functioning, leading to death within minutes. It is also known as sudden cardiac arrest.

Etymology

The term "Sudden Cardiac Death" is derived from the Latin words "subitus" (sudden), "cardia" (heart), and "mors" (death).

Definition

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is a sudden, unexpected death caused by loss of heart function (cardiac arrest). It is the largest cause of natural death in the U.S., causing about 325,000 adult deaths in the U.S. each year. SCD is responsible for half of all heart disease deaths.

Causes

SCD is usually caused by abnormalities in the heart. The most common cause of SCD is coronary artery disease, but other problems that can cause SCD include cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, and congenital heart disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms of SCD are sudden and drastic, they include sudden collapse, no pulse, no breathing, and loss of consciousness. Sometimes, other signs and symptoms precede SCD, such as fatigue, fainting, blackouts, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations or vomiting. But SCD often occurs with no warning.

Prevention

Prevention of SCD involves regular check-ups to monitor heart health, especially for those with a family history of heart diseases. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and reducing stress can also help prevent SCD.

Treatment

Immediate treatment for SCD is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to restore blood flow, followed by defibrillation if necessary. Long-term treatment and prevention of future SCD may include medications, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), and certain procedures such as coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Sudden Cardiac Death
Wikipedia's article - Sudden Cardiac Death

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Sudden Cardiac Death