Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a medical emergency characterized by the abrupt loss of heart function, leading to an immediate stop in blood circulation. During SCA, the heart's electrical system malfunctions, causing the heart to fibrillate or stop beating effectively. This results in the victim becoming unresponsive and not breathing normally. SCA can occur unexpectedly in individuals with or without pre-existing heart conditions and is often linked to arrhythmias, heart disease, or other cardiac issues. Prompt intervention is critical, as survival decreases rapidly without immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation, typically within minutes. It is distinct from a heart attack, which is caused by a blockage in blood flow to the heart itself, while SCA refers specifically to the heart's failure to function correctly.