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Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month: What You Need to Know to Save a Life

October is Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, an important opportunity to educate ourselves on this life-threatening ailment that strikes without warning. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of more than 356,000* people each year, including more than 23,000 youth under age 18.**

What is Cardiac Arrest?

Cardiac arrest differs from a heart attack. A heart attack blocks blood flow to the heart, but cardiac arrest causes the heart to stop beating, leading to immediate loss of consciousness and breathing stoppage. The brain can survive about 4 to 6 minutes without blood flow before lasting damage starts. Cardiac arrest proves fatal in over 90% of cases outside hospitals if not treated right away. This condition can affect anyone anywhere, often without warning signs. This makes it essential to grasp what cardiac arrest is how to spot it, and what steps you can take to help save someone’s life.

What to Do When Cardiac Arrest Happens

Cardiac arrest signs can occur suddenly. You might see someone pass out, have no heartbeat, and stop breathing. They could fall down or not react to anything. If you’re there when it happens, you need to act fast. Here’s what you should do:

  1. Call 911 immediately: Time is critical in cardiac arrest. Make sure emergency services are on their way as soon as possible.
  2. Begin CPR: If you’re trained in CPR, start immediately. Chest compressions should be hard and fast—aim for 100-120 compressions per minute. If you aren’t trained, the 911 operator can guide you through it.
  3. Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED): If an AED is available, use it as soon as possible. Follow the device’s instructions—it can help restore the heart’s normal rhythm.

The Role of Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring

Cardiac arrest often strikes without warning, but you can take steps to lower your chances. Keeping your high blood pressure in check is very important, as it’s a major cause of sudden cardiac events. Using a home device to track your blood pressure lets you spot changes and send up-to-the-minute info to your doctor. This means they can tweak your medications or suggest lifestyle changes, helping to stop serious issues before they put your life at risk. If you’re already at higher risk because of high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease running in your family, this approach could save your life.

Act Now, Save a Life

It is possible to protect your heart and maybe save the life of another person if you know the warning signals and take prompt action. 

* Source: American Heart Association Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2020 Update

** Source: National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) data interpreted by Characteristics of paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, Okubu et al 2020