What Causes Sudden Cardiac Arrest? The immediate cause of most sudden cardiac arrests is an abnormal heart rhythm. The heart’s electrical activity becomes chaotic, and it can’t pump blood to the rest of the body. Conditions that can trigger sudden cardiac arrest include: • Coronary artery disease. This is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in people older than 35. • Cardiomyopathy. When you have this condition, your heart muscle becomes enlarged or thick, so its weakened. • Long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome. These disorders of the heart’s electrical system can cause abnormal heart rhythms. • Marfan syndrome. This inherited disorder can cause parts of the heart to stretch and become weak. • Problems with the heart structure that are present at birth. Even if you have had surgery to correct a defect, you are still at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Other things that can raise your chance include: • Being male • Age -- the risk is higher for men after age 45 and for women after age 55 • A previous cardiac arrest or heart attack • A family history of cardiac arrest or heart disease
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 01:20:09 +0000
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