I’m a patient or family member of someone who had a sudden cardiac arrest

Am I / are they at risk for having another sudden cardiac arrest?

If you’ve already had a sudden cardiac arrest then you are at increased risk for having another one. Depending on what caused your sudden cardiac arrest, you may have been offered an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD).

An ICD is a battery-powered device placed under the skin that monitors your heart rate. The ICD is connected to your heart by thin wires. If an abnormal heart rhythm (beating too fast or chaotically) is detected the ICD will deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat.

What can I do to reduce my risk for another sudden cardiac arrest?

Having a healthy lifestyle is important to decreasing your risk. Talk to your doctor about changing your lifestyle to quit smoking, eat healthy, exercise and take medications if needed.

What else can I do?

Learn the signs of sudden cardiac arrest and what to do when it happens. There are lots of courses and videos on Youtube out there that can teach you how to perform CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). You can save a life just with your phone, your hands and an AED.

Where can I find more information?

Please visit our FAQs and Resources page for more information.