Signs of sudden cardiac arrest could show up early

CBS Mornings
22 Dec 201503:16
EducationalLearning
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TLDRNew research reveals that sudden cardiac arrest, often considered a sudden and deadly event, may have early warning signs that are frequently missed or ignored by patients. The study of 839 patients showed that over half had symptoms within a month of the event, with 80% experiencing signs an hour or more before and over 90% within 24 hours. Despite the low survival rate of less than 7%, early detection and intervention can increase the chances of survival to 32%. Recognizing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and other nonspecific signs can be crucial for intervention, as the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest is significant, with the latter being an electrical malfunction of the heart that requires immediate CPR or defibrillation.

Takeaways
  • 🚨 Sudden cardiac arrest is not always sudden; many patients experience early warning signs.
  • 📉 The survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest is less than 7%, but it increases to 32% with early detection and intervention.
  • 👨‍⚕️ Dr. Tara Narula, a cardiologist, emphasizes that despite medical advances, the prognosis for sudden cardiac arrest remains poor.
  • 💔 Approximately 350,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest, with most deaths occurring within 10 minutes of the event.
  • 🔍 The study analyzed 839 patients and found that 51% had at least one symptom in the four weeks before the arrest.
  • 🕒 80% of patients had symptoms at least an hour before the arrest, and over 90% had symptoms within 24 hours.
  • 😷 Only 12% of patients sought medical help, and only 19% called EMS when experiencing symptoms.
  • 🌟 Common symptoms include chest pain (46%), shortness of breath (46%), and nonspecific symptoms like abdominal pain and nausea.
  • 💓 Sudden cardiac arrest differs from a heart attack; the former is an electrical malfunction, while the latter is a circulation problem.
  • 🛑 Recognizing symptoms and seeking medical help is crucial, especially for those with risk factors for coronary heart disease.
  • 🚨 Calling EMS can significantly increase survival chances; those who called were 32% more likely to survive compared to only 6% who did not.
Q & A

  • What is the main finding of the new research on sudden cardiac arrest?

    -The new research finds that sudden cardiac arrest is not as sudden as previously thought. Many patients experience early warning signs, which if recognized and addressed with medical intervention, can significantly increase the survival rate from less than 7% to 32%.

  • What is the survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest with early detection and medical intervention?

    -With early detection and medical intervention, the survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest jumps from less than 7% to 32%.

  • What percentage of patients sought medical help for their symptoms before a sudden cardiac arrest?

    -Unfortunately, only 12% of patients sought medical help from a doctor for their symptoms before a sudden cardiac arrest.

  • What are the most common symptoms experienced by patients prior to sudden cardiac arrest?

    -The most common symptoms experienced by patients prior to sudden cardiac arrest were chest pain, shortness of breath, nonspecific symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, back pain, flu-like symptoms, and syncope or palpitations.

  • How is sudden cardiac arrest different from a heart attack?

    -A heart attack is a circulation problem where arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the heart muscle get blocked, causing death of heart muscle tissue or cells. Many people can survive heart attacks. Sudden cardiac arrest, on the other hand, is an electrical malfunction of the heart where it stops beating, shutting down the entire pumping function of the heart, which means no blood is going to the brain or vital organs, leading to quick death unless CPR or defibrillation is administered.

  • What should one do if they recognize they have symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest?

    -If one recognizes they have symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, it is crucial not to minimize or ignore these symptoms, especially if they have risk factors for coronary heart disease. They should seek immediate medical attention.

  • Are the risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest the same for men and women?

    -While the risk factors for coronary heart disease, which causes 70% of sudden cardiac arrests, need to be managed for both genders, the study found that men and women reported the same frequency of having symptoms, but the symptoms differed, with men experiencing more chest pain and women more shortness of breath.

  • What was the percentage of patients who called EMS when they had symptoms, and what was their survival rate?

    -Only 19% of patients called EMS when they had symptoms. However, those who called EMS were 32% more likely to survive compared to 6% who did not call.

  • What is the significance of recognizing and acting on early warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest?

    -Recognizing and acting on early warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest is significant as it can greatly increase the chances of survival. Early intervention is key in preventing the dire consequences of this condition.

  • What is the typical age range for individuals affected by sudden cardiac arrest?

    -Sudden cardiac arrest typically strikes people in the prime of their life, around the age of 65.

  • What are the potential long-term effects for those who survive sudden cardiac arrest without medical intervention?

    -Even when individuals survive sudden cardiac arrest without medical intervention, many are left with neurological damage or hypoxic brain injury, which can have severe impacts on their quality of life.

Outlines
00:00
🚨 Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Misunderstood and Often Overlooked

This paragraph discusses new research findings that challenge the common belief about the suddenness of cardiac arrest. It reveals that many patients experience early warning signs, which are often missed or ignored, leading to a lower survival rate. The study indicates that with early detection and medical intervention, the survival rate can significantly increase from less than 7% to 32%. Dr. Tara Narula, a cardiologist, emphasizes the importance of recognizing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and other less specific signs to improve outcomes.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡sudden cardiac arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest refers to an unexpected and sudden loss of heart function, characterized by the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, leading to the rapid loss of consciousness and potentially fatal outcomes if not promptly treated with CPR or defibrillation. In the context of the video, it highlights the importance of recognizing early warning signs to improve survival rates, as most people die within 10 minutes of its onset.
💡early warning signs
Early warning signs are indicative signals or symptoms that precede a medical condition, allowing for potential intervention before the condition becomes critical. In the video, it is emphasized that many patients with sudden cardiac arrest experience these signs, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, but often miss or ignore them, leading to poorer outcomes.
💡survival rate
The survival rate is the percentage of individuals who live through a particular event or condition. In the context of the video, it is used to compare the low survival rate of less than 7% without intervention to the significantly higher rate of 32% with early detection and medical intervention for sudden cardiac arrest.
💡cardiologist
A cardiologist is a medical professional specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions, including diseases of the heart and blood vessels. In the video, Dr. Tara Narula, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, provides expert insights into the study's findings and the importance of recognizing the symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest.
💡intervention
Intervention refers to the act of intervening or stepping in to prevent a negative outcome or to alter the course of an event. In the context of the video, it relates to taking action by seeking medical help when experiencing symptoms associated with sudden cardiac arrest, which can significantly increase the chances of survival.
💡symptoms
Symptoms are signs of a condition or disease that are experienced by a patient and can be reported to medical professionals for diagnosis and treatment. In the video, symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and flu-like symptoms are highlighted as critical indicators of potential sudden cardiac arrest that, if recognized and addressed, could lead to lifesaving interventions.
💡heart attack
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. This can damage or destroy part of the heart muscle. Unlike sudden cardiac arrest, heart attacks are circulation problems that can often be survived with proper treatment.
💡CPR
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an emergency medical procedure performed when the heart stops beating effectively. It involves chest compressions and artificial respiration to maintain blood circulation and oxygen supply to the brain and other vital organs. In the context of the video, CPR is a critical intervention that can keep a person alive until defibrillation can be administered in the case of sudden cardiac arrest.
💡defibrillation
Defibrillation is a medical procedure that applies an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm, particularly in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. It is a critical treatment that can prevent death by re-establishing the heart's pumping function.
💡risk factors
Risk factors are attributes, conditions, or habits that increase the likelihood of developing a particular health problem. In the context of the video, risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, which can contribute to the blockage of arteries leading to the heart.
💡gender differences
Gender differences refer to the variations in characteristics, behaviors, or health outcomes between males and females. In the context of the video, it is noted that while men are more likely to experience sudden cardiac arrest in general, both men and women reported the same frequency of symptoms, but with some differences in the types of symptoms experienced.
Highlights

New research challenges the perception of sudden cardiac arrest as an entirely unexpected event.

Many patients experience early warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, sometimes weeks in advance.

The survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest with early detection and intervention jumps significantly from 7% to 32%.

Sudden cardiac arrest affects individuals around the age of 65, with most dying within 10 minutes of the event.

The study analyzed 839 patients who had experienced sudden cardiac arrest and their symptoms in the four weeks leading up to the event.

Around 51% of patients exhibited at least one symptom before the cardiac arrest.

A significant 80% of patients had symptoms at least an hour before the arrest, and over 90% within 24 hours.

Only 12% of patients sought medical help for their symptoms, and a mere 19% called EMS.

The most common symptoms included chest pain (46%), shortness of breath (46%), and nonspecific symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Sudden cardiac arrest is distinct from a heart attack; it is an electrical malfunction that stops the heart from beating, unlike a heart attack which is a circulation problem.

Recognizing and not ignoring symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath is crucial, especially in individuals with risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Men are two to three times more likely to experience sudden cardiac arrest, but both genders reported the same frequency of symptoms in this study.

Women in the study tended to experience more shortness of breath, while men reported more chest pain.

Calling EMS can increase the likelihood of survival; patients who called were 32% more likely to survive compared to 6% who did not.

Early intervention is key to improving survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest.

The study emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body and seeking medical help when experiencing symptoms associated with sudden cardiac arrest.

Transcripts

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Cardiac ArrestEarly WarningsMedical InterventionSurvival RatesHealth AwarenessHeart HealthSymptom RecognitionEmergency ResponseGender DifferencesHealthcare