Cardiovascular disease accounts for one in three deaths worldwide. About 800,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease, but as many as 200,000 of the deaths from heart disease and stroke could be prevented if people made healthy lifestyle changes: They should stop smoking, maintain a healthy weight, do more physical activity, consume less salt and manage their high blood pressure and high cholesterol, a recent government report said.
Heart attack Vs. Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest is not a heart attack (myocardial infarction) but can occur during a heart attack.
Heart Attack:
Heart attacks occur when there is a blockage in one or more of the arteries to the heart, preventing the heart from receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. If the oxygen in the blood cannot reach the heart muscle, the heart becomes damaged.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest:
In contrast, sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical system to the heart malfunctions and suddenly becomes very irregular. The heart beats dangerously fast. The ventricles may flutter or quiver (ventricular fibrillation), and blood is not delivered to the body. In the first few minutes, the greatest concern is that blood flow to the brain will be reduced so drastically that a person will lose consciousness. Death follows unless emergency treatment is begun immediately.
Can Sudden Cardiac Death be prevented?
Monitoring vitals such as Blood pressure, temperature, blood sugar level & Keeping regular tab on your health is imperative. Apart from this, making certain lifestyle changes, taking medications as prescribed, and having interventional procedures or surgery (as recommended) are ways you can reduce your risk.
If you have any of the risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest, it is important that you speak with your doctor about possible steps to reduce your risk.
Stay healthy by Keeping a tab on your Health.