Don't Ignore that Warning Symptoms for Sudden Cardiac Death
Sudden
cardiac is the abrupt stop to the functioning of the heart. In most
cases the result will be fatal, because there won't be enough time to
give the immediate medical care. The sudden cardiac arrest occurs within
minutes of symptoms appear.
Cardiac
arrest don't occur suddenly. Mostly it is preceded by symptoms lasting
more than an hour. These symptoms usually occur in cases with a known
history of heart disease or risk factors. The patient may or may not
have diagnosed for heart disease. Unlike heart attack, cardiac arrest is
given less publicity and many failed to read the symptoms correctly. The
most common cause is the coronary heart disease, that is the blockade of
coronary artery due to fatty deposits on its walls.
A study by
German investigators refute the theory that sudden cardiac death occurs
at random in apparently healthy or low-risk patients. Dr.Dirk Muller and
his team studied the cases of 406 patients who suffered sudden cardiac
arrest and obtained cardiac histories and the median duration of warning
for 323. Their team belongs to University of Berlin and the results are
published in the Journal Circulation.
Results
showed that 22 per cent had experienced angina (chest pain) for 120
minutes, Dyspnea (difficulty in breathing) was present in 15 per cent
for 30 minutes, nausea or vomiting in seven per cent for 120 minutes,
dizziness or fainting in five percent for 10 minutes, while other
symptoms lasting 60 minutes were reported by eight percent. Only twenty
five per cent had no warning symptoms at all.
The team's
finding reveals that these symptoms were misinterpreted, suppressed or
denied despite the presence of a pre-existing cardiac disease or cardiac
risk factors. Some had other risk factors such chronic lung disease
diabetes and smoking.
The
patients at risk and their relatives should be educated regarding
symptoms and how to perform basic life support system, stressed Muller's
team.
Delaying
every minute will put the patient at a great risk. Don't put some
reasons for the symptoms you will be experiencing and delaying immediate
admission in a hospital. This applies more to the persons who have no
previous history of heart disease. You will be thinking that you are
healthy and the symptom doesn't relate to heart problem. But who knows,
what the condition of heart is inside.
Symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest
The symptoms of sudden cardiac arrests are
giddiness, episodes of unconsciousness and palpitations. Don't be
assured that it will occur after showing symptoms. It may occur without
showing any prior symptoms.
Updates
What to do if sudden cardiac arrest
occurs?
Sudden cardiac arrest or heart attack
could be suspected if a patient who was all right till a moment ago
suddenly collapsed. Give ABC of basic life support to a patient who got
the sudden cardiac arrest.
-
A -The airway should not be clogged
by food or vomit. Immediately check the air way.
-
B - Check whether the person is
still breathing.
-
C - Check for carotid pulse. The
carotid pulse can be detected at an inch below the earlobe at the angle
of the jaw.
Spreading the awareness of preventive
methods will reduce the percentage of fatal deaths. Check family history
and take preventive measures.
Sudden Cardiac Deaths - Dramatic Reduction In
US
US has achieved a dramatic reduction in sudden
cardiac deaths over the eight year period. Advanced imaging techniques,
medical procedures and preventive measures are the main reasons for this
reduction.
Jack Lewin, CEO, American College Of
Cardiology said, preventive measures were the most important reasons for
this dramatic achievement. The awareness measures taken by the college
educated the people and prevented many fatal deaths.
Mr. Lewin insists on preventive strategies. He
said that apart from technologies, banning smoking in public places,
educating people to take periodic testing of cholesterol, blood pressure and
blood sugar were the major contributors for this reduction in sudden cardiac
deaths.
Primary preventive measures should not be
ignored to avoid fatal end.
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