The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and developments in sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.
Partners of Heart Defibrillator Patients Concerned About Resuming Sex
Study Highlights: Partners of people with heart defibrillators have more concerns about resuming sexual activity than patients immediately after the device is implanted. Concerns declined for both over three months. ORLANDO, FL--Intimate partners of people with heart defibrillators are more concerned about resuming sexual activity than… Read More
Common Antibiotics Increase Risk of Cardiac Arrhythmias, Cardiac Death
WASHINGTON, DC--Macrolides--a group of commonly used antibiotics for bacterial infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, and some sexually transmitted diseases--are associated with a small but statistically significant increased risk of sudden cardiac death, according to a meta-analysis of 33 studies involving more than 20 million patients… Read More
Middle School Students Learn CPR in Single PE Class
ORLANDO, FL--A one-time, 45-minute educational session on basic life support has the power to greatly improve middle school students’ CPR knowledge and skills, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015. Researchers evaluated the use of a 45-minute basic life support class given to 41 eighth-grade… Read More
Video-Only CPR Training Without a Manikin Still Effective
ORLANDO, FL--Using a video to train family members of patients at risk for cardiac arrest in CPR may be just as effective as using the traditional hands-on method with a manikin, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The findings suggest simplified and more cost-effective approaches may… Read More
Just One Energy Drink May Boost Heart Disease Risk in Young Adults
ORLANDO, FL--Drinking one 16-ounce energy drink boosts blood pressure and stress hormone responses in young, healthy adults, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015. These changes could conceivably trigger new cardiovascular events. Researchers studied 25 healthy young adults with no known … Read More
Some Long QT Syndrome Patients May Benefit From ICDs Before Cardiac Arrest Occurs
ORLANDO, FL--Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can prevent life-threatening rhythms in patients with a hereditary heart rhythm disorder (Long QT Syndrome), including those who have not previously suffered cardiac arrest, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015. ICDs are recommended… Read More
In First Real-World Example, Penn Study Shows Mechanical and Manual CPR Produce Equivalent Survival Rates for Cardiac Arrest Patients
Study builds on previous trials examining the association of mechanical CPR with survival ORLANDO, FL--Mechanical CPR, in which a device is used by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers to deliver automated chest compressions during cardiac arrest resuscitation care, is associated with an equivalent survival rate for patients experiencing… Read More
Life-Saving AEDs Often in Locked Buildings When Needed
ORLANDO, FL--Most public automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are in buildings that aren’t open 24 hours. As a result, bystanders who are near AEDs don’t have access to the life-saving defibrillators in 21 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.… Read More
Can’t Find an AED? There May Be an App for That
ORLANDO, FL--The earlier bystanders can deliver shocks with an automated external defibrillator (AED) to people who have cardiac arrest outside the hospital, the better their chances are for survival. Although it may be difficult to find community-based AEDs, a new smartphone application helps connect rescuers with lifesaving AEDs and victims… Read More