Heart disease is a prevalent health concern worldwide, and it is responsible for millions of deaths annually. Despite advancements in medical technology and knowledge, heart disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. One of the most significant risks associated with heart disease is a potentially deadly heart problem called sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
SCA is a sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness, and it can happen to anyone, even those with no prior symptoms of heart disease. When SCA occurs, the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing an irregular heartbeat that leads to a sudden halt in blood circulation to the brain and other vital organs.
The most common cause of SCA is a condition called ventricular fibrillation, which occurs when the heart’s ventricles quiver instead of contracting, causing an ineffective heartbeat. If left untreated, SCA can be fatal within minutes, making it crucial to recognize and respond to the symptoms promptly.
While SCA can happen to anyone, certain factors increase the risk of developing this condition. Age, family history, smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels are just a few examples of factors that increase the risk of SCA. It is essential to understand these risks and take steps to reduce them to prevent the development of this potentially fatal heart problem.
In this blog post, we will explore the risk factors associated with sudden cardiac arrest and discuss ways to prevent this deadly heart problem. We will also delve into the signs and symptoms of SCA and provide tips for responding to this emergency situation. By understanding the risks and taking preventative measures, we can reduce the incidence of SCA and save lives.
What is it and who is at risk?
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a swelling of the main blood vessel that leads away from the heart.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms do not normally pose a serious threat to health, but rare large aneurysms can be very serious. If a large aneurysm ruptures it can cause huge internal bleeding and is usually fatal.
In most cases there are no symptoms, however, in rare cases, the aneurysm can cause stomach pains or persistent back aches. If an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures it will cause sudden and severe pain in the abdomen.
Other symptoms associated with a rupture are dizziness, sweaty or clammy skin, a rapid heartbeat, feeling faint, and loss of consciousness. If you suspect that you or someone else has a ruptured aneurysm, call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
Risk factors:
All men aged 66 or over are at risk of an aortic aneurysm. Women aged 70 or over who have one or more of the following risk factors are also at higher odds:
- high blood pressure
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- high blood cholesterol
- a family history of AAA
- cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease or a history of stroke
- history of smoking
You can reduce your risk by:
- stopping smoking
- eating healthily
- exercising regularly
- cutting down on alcohol
How a Simple thumb test can reveal if you are at risk of an aortic aneurysm?
A simple thumb test can reveal if you are at risk of having a deadly heart problem that can kill in minutes.
The new test could help to identify if a person has an unknown aortic aneurysm- an abnormal bulge that occurs in the wall of the major blood vessel.
Occasionally if the aneurysm becomes large, it can cause back pain or a pulsating feeling in your abdomen, but in most cases, a person will have no symptoms and they are usually only detected after an ultrasound scan.
Sadly, around eight in 10 people with a rupture will die before they reach the hospital.
But with the simple at-home test, proposed by a study in the American Journal of Cardiology, you can check the warning signs.
To conduct the test, place your hand in the air as if you were signaling someone to stop.
Then, keeping your palm flat, stretch your thumb as far as you can toward your little finger.
Research suggests that if your thumb stretches past the edge of your hand, then you could have a hidden aortic aneurysm.
This is because it could indicate that a person’s joints are lax, which is a sign of connective tissue disease that could affect your aorta.
However, it should be noted that not everybody who can do this will be found to have the condition.
If you are worried, you should seek medical advice from your GP.
