The American Heart Association (AHA) has issued a new scientific statement emphasizing the value of palliative care for individuals with serious cardiovascular disease, including survivors of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on relieving symptoms, easing emotional distress, improving quality of life, and helping patients and families make informed decisions aligned with their values and goals. It is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness, not just at the end of life, and can be delivered alongside curative treatments.
Survivors of sudden cardiac arrest often experience lasting complications such as:
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Brain injury
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Fatigue and muscle weakness
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Memory loss
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Shortness of breath
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Emotional and psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD
The statement recommends that early palliative care involvement in cardiovascular care can help patients and their families navigate difficult decisions, manage symptoms, and receive holistic support throughout recovery.
Read the full statement – Published May 15, 2025, in Circulation