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Risk Factors of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest and CPR Classes in Nashville for Emergencies

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a sudden, unexpected death caused by heart function loss (sudden cardiac arrest- SCA) with most SCDs caused by abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias. Ventricular fibrillation is the most common life-threatening arrhythmia, which is an erratic, disorganized firing of impulses from the ventricles (the ticker’s lower chambers). The heart is unable to pump blood when this occurs and death will occur within minutes, if left untreated. In the United States, sudden cardiac death is the largest cause of natural death and is also responsible for half of all heart disease deaths.

A victim in the middle of a cardiac arrest would require emergency treatment which includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. CPR procedure combines chest compressions and rescue breaths that keeps enough oxygen in the lungs and gets it to the brain until restoration of normal heart rhythm with an electric shock to the chest (defibrillation). Get trained in the CPR procedure to be able to efficiently handle out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies. For a CPR certification Nashville, sign up for a course at the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Courses for both healthcare providers and general public are offered.

SCA Risk Factors:
Although there are many factors that increase an individual’s risk of sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death, the two leading risk factors include:

Coronary Artery Disease- This disease has been linked to 80 percent of SCD cases. Some risk factors of CAD include smoking, family history of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol or an enlarged ticker.

Previous Heart Attack- 75 percent of SCD cases are linked to this. An individual’s risk of SCD is higher during the first six months after a myocardial infarction.

Some other risk factors include:
1.      Previous SCA episode.
2.      Family history of SCA or SCD.
3.      Family or personal history of certain abnormal heart rhythms including long QT syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, extremely low heart rates or heart block.
4.      Ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia after an episode of myocardial infarction.
5.      History of congenital heart defects.
6.      History of syncope (episodes of fainting of unknown cause).
7.      Dilated cardiomyopathy which is a decrease in ticker’s ability to pump blood due to an enlarged (dilated) and weakened left ventricle. In about 10 percent of cases, this is the cause of SCD.
8.      Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is a thickened heart muscle that especially affects the ventricles.

9.      Heart Failure- Individuals with HF are 6 to 9 times more likely than the general population to experience ventricular arrhythmias that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. HF is a condition that weakens the ticker’s pumping power.

10.  Obesity, diabetes and recreation drug abuse.
11.  Taking “pro-arrhythmic” drugs may increase the risk for life-threatening arrhythmias.
Most SCD cases are related to undetected cardiovascular disease. SCD is often due to congenital heart defects in the younger population while in older athletes (35 years and older), the cause is more often related to coronary artery disease.

AHA recommends cardiovascular screening for high school as well as collegiate athletes which should be inclusive of a complete and careful evaluation of the athlete’s personal and family history and a physical exam. Every two years, screening should be repeated. Women aged 50 and men aged 40 and older should also have an exercise stress test and receive education about cardiac risk factors and symptoms.

Join a CPR course at CPR Nashville and gain the benefits. For more information, call on (615) 638-0005.
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