Risk Factors
A risk factor is any predisposition or behavior that increases an individual’s chances for having a medical condition. In some cases, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), can occur spontaneously without any known risk factors associated with its onset.
Some risk factors are manageable. For example:
- Stress
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Cigarette smoking
- Excess weight
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- High fat diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
Contrary to the above, some risk factors cannot be changed. However, the knowledge that they often lead to heart disease may prompt an individual to make healthier lifestyle choices. Some of these factors include:
- Diabetes
- Advancing age
- Congenital heart disorders
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Previous heart attack or diagnosis of coronary artery disease, heart disease or congestive heart failure
- Family history of arrhythmia, heart disease or Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- Low ejection fraction (EF), which is the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat as measured by an echocardiogram in your MD’s office
- Certain medications, which include prescriptions as well as over-the-counter drugs, like decongestants, diet supplements and herbal remedies
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risk Assessment
Please click here to open the risk assessment. |
