October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Month.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. If this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs.
SCA usually causes death if it’s not treated within minutes. Rapid treatment of SCA with a defibrillator can be lifesaving. A defibrillator is a device that sends an electric shock to the heart to try to restore its normal rhythm. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be used by bystanders without any training to save the lives of people who are having SCA.
SCA is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack occurs if blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. During a heart attack, the heart usually doesn’t suddenly stop beating. SCA, however, may happen after or during recovery from a heart attack. Usually, the first sign of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is loss of consciousness (fainting). At the same time, no heartbeat (or pulse) can be felt.
People who have heart disease are at higher risk for SCA. However, SCA can happen in people who appear healthy and have no known heart disease or other risk factors for SCA.
Risk factors for SCA include:
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
A personal or family history of SCA or inherited disorders that make you prone to arrhythmias
A personal history of arrhythmias
Heart attack
Heart failure
Drug or alcohol abuse
Safety Solved urges all businesses to install AEDs and train on CPR. It could be you who saves a life.
To learn more about the importance of AEDs and how to use one, attend Safety Solved’s October 16th seminar on the Ins and Outs of AEDs. Register here.
During the month of October, Safety Solved will be offering 10% off any complete AED package or CPR/AED training session with 6 or more people at your location in the Colorado Front Range. Mention SCA Month and purchase by October 31st. Trainings can be scheduled through December 31, 2014 though with deposit paid by October 31st.