Blood is supplied to the heart through its coronary arteries. If a blood clot suddenly blocks a coronary artery, it will disrupt most or all of the blood supply to the heart and a heart attack will occur. A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is when a blockage in a blood vessel interrupts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, causing heart muscle to die. Symptoms of a heart attack can include chest discomfort, discomfort in other areas of the upper body and jaw, and shortness of breath. With a heart attack, the heart usually does not suddenly stop beating, but a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest occurs when there is a malfunction of the heart's electrical system. The heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. It is not a heart attack.
The heart has an internal electrical system that controls the rhythm of the heartbeat. An abnormal heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. Due to either a structural problem (which can disrupt the normal electrical pathway) or a primary electrical problem, the heartbeat abruptly and without warning either stops or becomes so chaotic that no blood can effectively be pumped to the rest of the body. This rapid and chaotic heartbeat is called ventricular fibrillation. Without oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain, the person loses consciousness in seconds. Rapid treatment is critical and can be lifesaving. Unless an emergency shock using an automatic external defibrillator (AED) is delivered to the heart to restore its regular rhythm, death can occur within minutes. Victims of sudden cardiac arrest may never experience any warning signs.
According to The American Heart Association, an average survival rate of 74% can be achieved if defibrillation treatment is administered within the first 3-5 minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest victim's collapse. Brain death and permanent death start to occur in just 4-6 minutes after a cardiac arrest occurs. The chance of survival decreases 7-10% for every minute that passes prior to getting a defibrillation shock. Few attempts at resuscitation succeed after 10 minutes have passed.
Sudden cardiac arrest kills thousands of young, seemingly healthy, active people each year. A heart problem most likely existed; it was just, most likely, not detected early enough!
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