There is no doubt that time is very critical if a person is to survive sudden cardiac arrest (heart attack). According to the American Heart Association, the chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest decreases by 7 to 10 percent with every passing minute.
The average survival rate in Singapore for people who suffer from heart attack outside hospital is rather poor: between 1.5 percent and 3 percent. This is because of the small number of people here who are trained in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and the limited effectiveness of performing CPR.
CPR is a technique that involves mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compressions. It helps artificially circulate oxygen-rich blood for the victims, keeping their brain and vital organs alive. In most cases of sudden cardiac arrest, the heart can also have an irregular rhythm, which can be corrected using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
AED is a portable computerized machine delivers an electric shock to re-establish normal heartbeats. Being easy to use, AED can allow non-medically trained people help save lives. The people who use it just need to follow the step-by-step instructions from the machine via voice prompt. In Singapore, AEDs have been installed at sports centers, stadiums and swimming pools, as well as major public places such as hotels and shopping centers.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine revealed that around 1 to 5 sudden cardiac deaths occur each year for every 1 million athletes below the age of 35. People with the age below 35 years old having sudden cardiac arrest are usually the result of coronary artery disease. Sudden cardiac arrest victims who are below 35 years old are due to a genetic disorder known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle.
People with this type of disorder are predisposed to abnormal heart rhythms, which can be triggered during vigorous exercise. Though most of the reports of athletes dying from sudden cardiac arrest were men, this does not rule out women.
In fact, HCM could happen equally in both sexes. One possible reason for more reported cases of cardiac arrest in men is that men are more likely to engage in vigorous and competitive sports. In comparison, women's level of participation in intensive sports is much lower than that of men. That is why women are less exposed to exercise-induced cardiac arrest.
Recognizing the warning signs of a possible heart condition is very important. Those who get palpitations, breathlessness or dizziness, and those who have a family history of heart problems should consult their doctor.
Unfortunately, identifying athletes who are vulnerable to the condition is not so easy. Some heart problems cannot be detected in tests, and screening for rare congenital conditions can be expensive, too.
Nevertheless, people who want to engage in vigorous physical activity, such as marathons or hiking expeditions, are still urged to go for a thorough screening.
The average survival rate in Singapore for people who suffer from heart attack outside hospital is rather poor: between 1.5 percent and 3 percent. This is because of the small number of people here who are trained in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and the limited effectiveness of performing CPR.
CPR is a technique that involves mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compressions. It helps artificially circulate oxygen-rich blood for the victims, keeping their brain and vital organs alive. In most cases of sudden cardiac arrest, the heart can also have an irregular rhythm, which can be corrected using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
AED is a portable computerized machine delivers an electric shock to re-establish normal heartbeats. Being easy to use, AED can allow non-medically trained people help save lives. The people who use it just need to follow the step-by-step instructions from the machine via voice prompt. In Singapore, AEDs have been installed at sports centers, stadiums and swimming pools, as well as major public places such as hotels and shopping centers.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine revealed that around 1 to 5 sudden cardiac deaths occur each year for every 1 million athletes below the age of 35. People with the age below 35 years old having sudden cardiac arrest are usually the result of coronary artery disease. Sudden cardiac arrest victims who are below 35 years old are due to a genetic disorder known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle.
People with this type of disorder are predisposed to abnormal heart rhythms, which can be triggered during vigorous exercise. Though most of the reports of athletes dying from sudden cardiac arrest were men, this does not rule out women.
In fact, HCM could happen equally in both sexes. One possible reason for more reported cases of cardiac arrest in men is that men are more likely to engage in vigorous and competitive sports. In comparison, women's level of participation in intensive sports is much lower than that of men. That is why women are less exposed to exercise-induced cardiac arrest.
Recognizing the warning signs of a possible heart condition is very important. Those who get palpitations, breathlessness or dizziness, and those who have a family history of heart problems should consult their doctor.
Unfortunately, identifying athletes who are vulnerable to the condition is not so easy. Some heart problems cannot be detected in tests, and screening for rare congenital conditions can be expensive, too.
Nevertheless, people who want to engage in vigorous physical activity, such as marathons or hiking expeditions, are still urged to go for a thorough screening.
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