Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month highlights important life-saving measures

Every 90 seconds someone in the United States dies from sudden cardiac arrest. In fact, it is the third leading cause of death in the country.

Although it is often fatal, there are life-saving measures you need to know.

October marks Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month.

A sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere and at any time. But don’t confuse sudden cardiac arrests and heart attacks, as they are very different.

Sudden cardiac arrests occur when the heart malfunctions and stops beating.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked.

The signs are also different for both.

Heart attack victims are usually responsive and breathing.

But people suffering from sudden cardiac arrest are often unresponsive, not breathing, and require immediate resuscitation or the use of an AED.

In both cases, it is important to call 911 as quickly as possible.

Dan Dowling, regional communications manager for the Red Cross of New England, says it can happen to anyone.

“Sudden cardiac arrest occurs 70 percent of the time at home. “You can expect this when traveling or at a restaurant,” Dowling said.

The Red Cross offers CPR courses. Dowling says you never know when these skills might come in handy.

To learn more about CPR courses, CLICK HERE.