Sudden Cardiac Arrest is Not a Heart Attack

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is often confused with a heart attack. A heart attack results from a blockage in one or more of the heart’s arteries—a “plumbing” problem. SCA is an electrical problem, which causes the heart to stop pumping blood.


Sudden Cardiac Arrest	This graphic illustrates a problem in the heart’s electrical system which can create serious health risks.	Heart Attack	This graphic illustrates the site of a clogged artery stopping the fl ow of blood to the heart muscle

And while most people survive a first heart attack, only 5% survive SCA because defibrillation is not delivered within 6 minutes. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs more often in people who have had a heart attack, heart failure or who have a low ejection fraction. Damaged hearts can lead to disturbances in the heart’s electrical system. This can then cause the dangerously fast heart rhythms and SCA.

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.