What are your Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risks?

Living for Zachary speaks alot about how sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone at any age, but what are the factors that can increase your risk?

First, there are a few risk factors that you have no control over such as:

• Family history of coronary artery disease. 
• Family history of cardiac arrest. 
• Family or personal history of abnormal heart rhythm. 

Then, there are a number of factors individuals can have some level of control over or work to manage. These include:

• Smoking 
• Obesity 
• Diabetes 
• High blood pressure 
• High cholesterol 
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Illegal drug use, especially cocaine and amphetamines 

Individuals who have suffered previous incidents of cardiac arrest or a heart attack are also at higher risk for a repeat incident. Men over 45 and women over 55 are at increased risk.

Darby, Justin. "Risk Factors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest." www.aed.com