Below, Dr.Vinay Nadkarni, Chairman of the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, talks about how AEDs work, and the role that ordinary people may one day play in reducing the number of cardiac-arrest-related deaths.
What percentage of people who have sudden cardiac arrest survive?
It varies. Survival can be as low as 2%—two survivors out of a hundred—and as high as 25%, in victims who arrest outside the hospital.
What causes sudden cardiac arrest?
There are many, many causes of sudden cardiac arrest. The most common cause is an abnormal heart rhythm, usually called ventricular fibrillation or a quivering of the heart, and the most common cause of this is heart disease. There are many other causes, which can include respiratory compromise or arrest, drowning, and trauma. The risk factors depend on the age and activity level of the individual.
Where does it most often happen?
The most common location for adults to have sudden cardiac arrest is in the home. In most studies, between 60 and 70% of sudden cardiac arrest occur in or around the home—the remainder mostly occurring in public places or venues.
