October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating without warning. This causes blood flow to the brain and other vital organs to stop.

If the heart does not receive an electrical shock to cause it to start beating again, the patient usually dies in a matter of minutes. Sudden cardiac arrest causes over 350,000 deaths in the United States every year and is one of the most common causes of death, claiming a life every 90 seconds. About 95 percent of people who suffer SCA die because they do not receive immediate treatment.

Difference between Sudden Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack

Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. During sudden cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating and blood is not pumped to organs. This needs to be treated with an electrical shock to stimulate the heart to start beating again.

A myocardial infarction, typically referred to as a heart attack, is caused by a blockage in a blood vessel. This interrupts the flow of blood and causes part of the heart muscle to die. Blood gets backed up in the heart, and the blood vessel needs to be unclogged with medication or surgery so blood can flow throughout the rest of the body.

Both a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest can result in serious problems and possibly even death. The difference is that a heart attack often has prior symptoms of heart disease, while sudden cardiac arrest occurs without warning. Two-thirds of patients who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest had no prior symptoms of heart disease.

An AED Can Save a Victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

An automated external defibrillator (AED) can produce an electrical shock that can restart the heart of someone suffering from sudden cardiac arrest. This life-saving device can be used to quickly provide treatment before paramedics arrive. It can be used in any location, including workplaces and schools, to provide quick, life-saving treatment.

1st Aid Supplies offers AEDs that can be used in any location to treat a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. Laypeople can be guided through the process of using the device so they can respond quickly to save a person’s life. An AED is an essential device for any business or school. Be prepared to act quickly by having an AED on hand. Order an AED from 1st Aid Supplies today.