SCA News

Researchers identify ‘terrible’ spike in at-home cardiac arrests during COVID-19 surge

Italian investigators believe theirs are the first published data showing high numbers of at-home cardiac arrests amid the pandemic. Chilling numbers out of northern Italy point to a 58% increase in the number of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) in the first 40 days of the COVID-19 pandemic there, as compared with the same period last year… Read More

Hydroxychloroquine for treatment of COVID-19 linked to increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias

Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Concern of Global Interest on January 30, more than one million have tested positive for the illness in the United States, and more than 62,000 have died. With no FDA–approved treatments available to date, the anti-malarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, has emerged as a potential… Read More

GivingTuesdayNow: Please save the date

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation team is more dedicated than ever to our mission to raise awareness and save lives threatened by sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which affects 1,000 people out of hospitals each day in the U.S. Please save the date, Tuesday, May 5, #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity, and plan to make a tax-… Read More

FDA lifts injunction on manufacture and distribution of Philips’ defibrillators in the US

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS--Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, announced today that its Emergency Care and Resuscitation (ECR) business is resuming manufacturing and shipping of external defibrillators for the US, following notification from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the injunction… Read More

FDA reiterates importance of close patient supervision for ‘off-label’ use of antimalarial drugs to mitigate known risks, including heart rhythm problems

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Drug Safety Communication regarding known side effects of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, including serious and potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problems, that have been reported with their use for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19, for which they are not approved by the FDA… Read More

The new pandemic threat: People may die because they’re not calling 911

Leaders of major national organizations - dedicated to saving people from heart disease and stroke - speak out DALLAS, TX -- Reports from the front lines of hospitals indicate a marked drop in the number of heart attacks and strokes nationally. But, COVID-19 is definitely not stopping people from having heart attacks, strokes and cardiac arrests… Read More

Breathing heavy wildfire smoke may increase risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Research Highlights: Heavy wildfire smoke may raise the risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. To reduce exposure to wildfire smoke, researchers advise people to stay indoors with doors and windows closed, to use high-efficiency air filters in air conditioning systems, avoid exertion, and consider seeking shelter elsewhere if the home does… Read More

Interim CPR guidelines address challenges of providing resuscitation during COVID-19 pandemic

DALLAS, TX -- With COVID-19 incidence currently increasing exponentially worldwide, the percentage of cardiac arrests with COVID-19 are also likely to increase. The evolving and expanding outbreak of COVID-19 cases creates challenges around resuscitation efforts and requires potential modifications of established processes and practices. The… Read More

Caution recommended on COVID-19 treatment with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for patients with cardiovascular disease

DALLAS, TX -- The global impact of COVID-19 continues to surge, and every day, the scientific community learns more about the impact and interaction of cardiovascular diseases with COVID-19. Together, the American Heart Association (AHA), the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) jointly published this new… Read More

Mysterious heart damage, not just lung troubles, befalling COVID-19 patients

While the focus of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on respiratory problems and securing enough ventilators, doctors on the front lines are grappling with a new medical mystery. In addition to lung damage, many COVID-19 patients are also developing heart problems — and dying of cardiac arrest. As more data comes in from China and Italy, as well… Read More