Many Men Ignore the Early Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest

A recent study shows that men who suffer from cardiac arrest may have seen earlier warning signs that they chose to ignore.

As symptoms can range from chest pain, shortness of breath or faintness to heart palpitations, researchers discussed how many men may choose to ignore symptoms that lead up to cardiac arrest over time, via information presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Dallas.  

As the heart works as an electrical system that controls the rhythm of the heartbeat, the organ can beat too fast, too slow or stop beating all together. When cardiac arrest occurs, the heart will develop an arrhythmia that could potentially prevent it from beating, all-together.

Unfortunately, many often mistake a heart attack for this health issue. However, it is quite different as the heart will usually continue to beat but blood flow to the heart is blocked or constricted.

Without medical attention, an individual can die in only a few minutes. That's why researchers push the importance of noticing symptoms early that can lead up to the health problem.

Statistics show that about 360,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are reported each year in the United States alone.

Cardiac arrest is particularly problematic, according to senior study author, Sumeet Chugh, a cardiologist and associate director for genomic cardiology at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles, because of how little time there is to resolve the health issue.

"It's electrical chaos," he said, via USA Today. "You'll die within 10 minutes of a cardiac arrest unless you are lucky enough to get emergency assistance quickly."

He also adds the grim statistic that 90 percent of those who do experience sudden cardiac arrest will die from the problem.

Researchers studied data from the symptoms and health histories of 567 men from Portland, Ore., ages 35 to 65. All participants had experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrests between 2002 and 2012.

The study showed that 53 percent of the participants had experienced symptoms of cardiac arrest prior to it actually happening. Various symptoms were reported, including 56 percent that experienced chest pain, 13 percent experienced shortness of breath and 4 percent experienced dizziness or heart palpitations. Eighty percent of the symptoms occurred between four weeks to one hour before the sudden cardiac arrest. And most of the men involved suffered from coronary artery disease. However, only a quarter had been diagnosed. 

Chugh and colleagues express the importance of recongizing symptoms early and seeking treatment. For many who could potentially suffer from cardiac arrest, it would indeed save their life.