Facts about Sudden Cardiac Arrest

• 350,000 die from sudden cardiac arrest each year
• In the United States, sudden cardiac death in athletes occurs most predominantly between 15-25 years of age during an organized sporting event and at the prime of an athlete’s zealous participation
• Can occur without prior warning symptoms and can happen to anyone, anyplace, at anytime
• 90% of sudden cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital setting and nationally, less than 5% will survive
• For every 60 seconds that passes without defibrillation, overall survival decreases by 10%

Who is at risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

While sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anytime and any place without warning, individuals at highest risk include those who have experienced or been diagnosed with:

• A previous heart attack
• A previous sudden cardiac arrest (30% chance of experiencing another arrest within first year)
• Heart failure (enlarged heart) – ejection fraction less than 40%
• A family member who died unexpectedly at a young age (<50years old) of a heart condition
• Heart rhythm abnormalities of the lower chambers of the heart, such as ventricular tachycardia
• A variety of congenital heart defects or inherited conditions such as coronary artery anomalies, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, Long QT Syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the lower heart muscle), or Marfan’s Syndrome
• Commotio Cordis (extreme blow to the chest, i.e., baseball, hockey puck, helmet)

Where should Automatic External Defibrillators be placed?

• Where large numbers of people gather to work, learn, play and/or worship

 For more information visit us at www.westernfirstaid.com or email us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 866-362-2691

 The above information was supplied by Saint Lukes