October is National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. Knowing the facts could help save lives

Why don’t more people know and practice these essential life-saving skills? Seven common myths may be contributing to the public’s hesitation to take action.

MYTH #1: SCA is rare.
FACT: Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, affecting more than 356,000 people in community settings each year.

MYTH #2: SCA is the same as a heart attack.
FACT: When people have a heart attack, they are awake and their heart is beating. When people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest, they are not awake and their heart is not beating.

Myth #3: SCA only occurs in older people.
FACT: SCA occurs in people of all ages, including more than 23,000 youth under the age of 18 each year.

Myth #4: SCA only occurs in people with a history of heart problems.
FACT: SCA is often the first sign of a heart problem.

Myth #5: It’s best to wait for professional help.
FACT: You can double or triple a person’s chance of survival in a sudden cardiac arrest by providing immediate resuscitation.

MYTH #6: Only trained personnel can use AEDs.
FACT: AEDs can be used effectively by anyone who can follow visual and verbal instructions.

MYTH #7: AEDs can injure people by giving them unreasonable electric shocks.
FACT: AEDs are safe and effective and do not shock the heart unless shocks are necessary to restore a healthy heartbeat.

Here’s what everyone needs to know. If you meet someone in sudden cardiac arrest, act quickly and decisively:
1. CALL: Call 911 and follow dispatcher instructions.
PRESS 2: Start CPR. Press firmly and quickly on the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute (think of the beat to the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.”)
3. SHOCK: Use the nearest AED as quickly as possible.

“Bystander intervention during sudden cardiac arrest significantly increases the likelihood of survival. With greater public awareness and understanding, thousands of lives could be saved every year,” he said Susan KöppenNational spokesperson for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. “And since 7 out of 10 cardiac arrests occur at home, taking the time to learn about cardiopulmonary resuscitation and using an AED can mean the difference between life and death for a loved one.”

References:
1.
2. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMra1802529

About the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our vision is to prevent avoidable death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest and to support people affected by sudden cardiac arrest. Our mission is to raise awareness of SCA and promote initiatives that help save lives through education, research and community. The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is home to the Cardiac Arrest Survivor Alliance and a proud co-sponsor of the Call Push Shock Movement.

Media contact

Mary NewmanSudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, 724-612-2191, [email protected]https://www.sca-aware.org

SOURCE Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation