Sudden cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness, according to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to clinical practice, education and research.
The institution also explains that the symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest are immediate and drastic, including:
- Sudden collapse.
- lack of pulse
- shortness of breath
- Loss of consciousness.
Sometimes other signs and symptoms precede sudden cardiac arrest. These might include the following:
- Chest discomfort.
- Shortness of breath.
- Weakness.
- Heart that beats fast, is fluttering, or flutters (palpitations).
However, sudden cardiac arrest often occurs without warning.
In addition, he indicated that The most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), which occurs when the heart’s electrical system does not work properly.
Along the same lines, because sudden cardiac arrest is often linked to coronary artery disease, the same factors that create risk for coronary artery disease can also create risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Some of them are the following:
- High level of cholesterol in the blood.
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- Inactive lifestyle.
For this reason, Medline Plus, the United States National Library of Medicine, revealed that fortunately, there are many things that can be done to reduce the chances of having heart disease, such as:
- Control blood pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for heart disease.
- Keep cholesterol and triglyceride levels under control: High cholesterol levels can clog your arteries and increase your risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack.
- Keep a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of heart disease. This is because they are linked to other risk factors for heart disease, including elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
- Eat a healthy diet: Try to limit saturated fats, foods high in sodium, and added sugars. Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Exercise regularly: Exercise has many benefits, it strengthens the heart and improves circulation. It can also help maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. All of this can reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Limit alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure and add extra calories, which can cause weight gain. Both increase the risk of heart disease. Men should have no more than two alcoholic drinks a day, and women should have no more than one
- No Smoking: Cigarette smoking raises your blood pressure and puts you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke.
- Controlling stress: Stress is linked to heart disease in several ways. It can increase blood pressure. Extreme stress can be a “trigger” for a heart attack. Also, some common ways of coping with stress, such as overeating, heavy drinking, and smoking, are bad for your heart. Some ways to help manage stress include exercising, listening to music, focusing on something calm or serene, and meditating
- Control diabetes: Having diabetes doubles the risk of diabetic heart disease. This is because, over time, High blood sugar from diabetes can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control the heart and blood vessels.
- Get enough sleep: If you don’t get enough sleep, you increase your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
