WHO IS AT RISK?

For many victims of SCA, there is no previous history of heart problems. Sudden cardiac arrest is often the first symptom, and can occur in seemingly healthy people with no known heart disease or other health problems. Most victims have heart disease, although they may not know it.

There are numerous risk factors that contribute to cardiac arrest. They include:

  • Previous heart attack: 75 percent of the people who die of SCA show signs of a previous heart attack.
  • Coronary artery disease: 80 percent of SCA victims have signs of coronary artery disease, when the arteries that supply blood to the heart are narrowed or blocked.
  • Heart failure: SCA occurs at six to nine times the rate of the general population in people with heart failure.
  • Low ejection fraction (EF): A healthy heart pumps 55 percent or more of its blood with each beat. People with EFs of less than 40 percent are at increased risk of SCA.
  • Arrhythmias or electrical abnormalities of the heart or lungs.

The following signs and symptoms may be precursors to SCA, particularly with children and adolescents:

  • Fainting (syncope), especially during or after exercise
  • Dizziness/lightheadedness
  • Excessive fatigue or shortness of breath associated with exercise
  • Abnormal heart rate or rhythm (arrhythmia)
  • High blood pressure
  • Congenital heart abnormality
  • Obesity and/or diabetes
  • Family history of sudden death prior to age 50