Description
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is death caused by cardiac arrest. SCD is the largest cause of natural death in the U.S. resulting in 325,000 adult deaths per year. During SCD, the heart stops pumping blood around the body. A person promptly loses consciousness. If the pumping of the heart is not restored within 4 minutes, the brain will die.
Symptoms
Just prior to the sudden end of the heart's pumping ability, people patients may experience light headiness, breathing problems, chest pain, and fainting. Unfortunately, some people have no warning signs. They just suddenly lose consciousness.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
Examination of the heart, pulse and blood pressure will prove that the heart has stopped pumping. Cardiac testing (primarily an EKG) will be done to determine the cause of the SCD.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, D-Dimer, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Troponin, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: echo cardiogram, coronary angiography
Specialists:
Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology
Workup:
Examination of the heart, pulse and blood pressure will prove that the heart has stopped pumping. Cardiac testing (primarily an EKG) will be done to determine the cause of the SCD.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, D-Dimer, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Troponin, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: echo cardiogram, coronary angiography
Specialists:
Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology
Treatment
The collapse of heart function that leads to SCD can be treated, but therapy must begin immediately after the event for the best result. 911 should be called and then hands-only CPR should be started until help arrives. Here is more information: http://handsonlycpr.org/. If available an AED (Ambulatory External Defibrillator) should be used since most cases of SCD are caused by an abnormal beating of the heart called ventricular fibrillation and an external shock from an AED given as soon as possible can make the heartbeat regular again, and thereby can save a life. It is the combination of immediate CPR and AED use that gives the patient the greatest chance of success.