The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and developments in sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.
Cardiac risks appear low for elite athletes with diagnosed, treated genetic heart disease
Analysis finds most athletes had no cardiac events over seven years, underscoring importance of shared decision-making Ninety-five percent of athletes with a diagnosed and treated genetic heart disease experienced no disease-triggered cardiac events, such as cardiogenic fainting or seizures, implantable cardio-defibrillator (ICD) shocks, sudden… Read More
Vigorous exercise not associated with increased risk of arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Findings do not support traditional advice to avoid vigorous exercise People with the inherited heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who exercised vigorously did not have an increased incidence of serious cardiac events during three years of follow-up compared with people who exercised moderately or were inactive, according to a… Read More
Take it from 2 runners whose hearts stopped during the same race: A heart-healthy lifestyle is best
Michael and Danuta Heilemann were approaching the 3-mile mark of the Monterey Bay Half Marathon when they heard the siren. The noise kept getting louder, so they knew it was headed their way. The Heilemanns were still running when they saw an ambulance pull over ahead of them. Then they saw the reason paramedics were needed. A runner was on the… Read More
His heart stopped on a treadmill at the gym. His wife gave him CPR.
Mark Wangrin and his wife, Barbara, put on their athletic gear and drove to their Austin, Texas, fitness center for an early morning Sunday workout. Mark hopped on treadmill No. 1. Barbara climbed onto a nearby rower. Then she switched to weights. While running, Mark glanced at the digital board in the front of the room that tracked people's… Read More
Can smart watches and other fitness and wellness trackers do more harm than good for some people?
Certain wearable gadgets have the potential to interfere with pacemakers and other implanted cardiac electronic devices, according to a new study in Heart Rhythm PHILADELPHIA--In recent years, wearable devices such as smart watches and rings, as well as smart scales, have become ubiquitous – “must-haves” for the health conscious to self-monitor… Read More
Medtronic receives CE Mark for extravascular defibrillator system that treats abnormal heart rhythms
DUBLIN -- Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) has received CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark for the Aurora EV-ICD™ MRI SureScan™ (Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator) and Epsila EV™ MRI SureScan™ defibrillation lead to treat dangerously fast heart rhythms that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. The Aurora EV-ICD system provides the life-… Read More
CPR: A gift of minutes that could extend a lifetime
A person's chance of surviving cardiac arrest is significantly higher if a bystander calls 911 and applies chest compressions. In a hospital conference room, Dr. Peter Kudenchuk is on his knees as he demonstrates forceful chest compressions on “Annie,” a CPR manikin. “One and two and three and four,” he calls out repeatedly, maintaining a cadence… Read More
Dr. Leonard Cobb, co-founder of Medic One program, dies
The emergency medical response service, one of the nation's first, started with outreach by Dr. Cobb to the Seattle Fire Department. Dr. Leonard Cobb, 96, a co-founder of the Seattle Medic One paramedic program, died Feb. 14, 2023. He was a luminary in the field of pre-hospital care of people with cardiac disease. In 1968, Dr. Cobb was chief… Read More
Franklin & Connolly introduce the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act
WASHINGTON--Reps. Scott Franklin (FL-18) and Gerry Connolly (VA-11) today introduced the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act. This bipartisan bill would save lives by establishing a uniform base of liability protection for businesses that acquire automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and the good Samaritans who use them. AEDs are used to assist victims… Read More