One vs the Other

Making sure that you know the difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest is imperative as all the information comes out about SCA.


Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) differs from a heart attack in that their root problems that lead to the malfunction are different. Heart attacks occur when there is a blockage in either one or many arteries to the heart, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching the heart.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is an electrical malfunction leading to an irregularly fast heartbeat. Often times, the blood flow to the brain is reduced leading to a loss of consciousness almost immediately. In short, sudden cardiac arrest can happen during a heart attack but it is not a heart attack.

While there are some symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, often times it strikes with little or no alert. In fact - with Zachary Schrah, there were no symptoms, there were no warning signs.

If you or someone you know begins to feel dizzy or their heart begins racing and it alerts them—take them immediately to a emergency facility or call 911.

If you or someone you know has had a previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, practices coronary-risking behavior such as smoking, unhealthy eating habits or recreational drug abuse, advise them of the dangers and help grow awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It is vital to share this information with your doctor so that you can both assess ways to lower your risk of this potentially-fatal condition.

 Do you know the difference between SCA and a heart attack? It is imperative that all people these days know that there truly is a difference. 



SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) is much different than a heart attack in that their root problems that lead to the malfunction are different. Heart attacks occur when there is a blockage in either one or many arteries to the heart, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching the heart.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is an electrical malfunction leading to an irregularly fast heartbeat. Often times, the blood flow to the brain is reduced leading to a loss of consciousness almost immediately. In short, sudden cardiac arrest can happen during a heart attack but it is not a heart attack.

While there are some symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, often times it strikes with little or no alert. In fact - with Zachary Schrah, there were no symptoms, there were no warning signs.

If you or someone you know begins to feel dizzy or their heart begins racing and it alerts them—take them immediately to a emergency facility or call 911.

If you or someone you know has had a previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, practices coronary-risking behavior such as smoking, unhealthy eating habits or recreational drug abuse, advise them of the dangers and help grow awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It is vital to share this information with your doctor so that you can both assess ways to lower your risk of this potentially-fatal condition.

More information can be found here - http://www.sca-aware.org/blog/scafoundation/sca-and-heart-attack-understanding-the-difference.

Knowing the difference.. SCA and Heart Attack

Do you honestly know the difference? Many people don't. They assume that SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) is the same as a Heart Attack. The truth could save your life or save the life of someone you love according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.

The medical term for heart attack is myocardial infarction. A heart attack is also sometimes called a coronary thrombosis or coronary occlusion. A heart attack is referred to as a "plumbing problem". The person having the heart attack is usually awake and at times can talk.

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack are: (but not limited to)

• Chest Discomfort
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Discomfort in arms, back, neck and jaw

SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest)is often confused because of the name. Bottom line is when SCA strikes, most likely the person is NOT awake and the heart is no longer beating, thus being called SUDDEN. SCA is referred to as a "electrical problem". Just as you turn out the lights, the heart can simply just stop. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF), an abnormality in the heart's electrical system. When SCA strikes blood stops flowing to the brain the heart and the rest of the body, and the person collapses.

Zachary Schrah had no known symptoms, no known risks and no family history of SCA or heart problems, he just collapsed and died on a normal day in Plano, TX, during a normal football practice.

It can happen to anyone and the bottom line is: get screened or take your child to be screened. You can learn more about SCA Heart Screening at the Living for Zachary website. It is about SCA prevention and that is what Living for Zachary is about-raising awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth, awareness of the use of AED's and celebrating the life and story of Zachary Schrah to help others.

If you are interested in helping the Living for Zachary mission, please visit the Living for Zachary website for information on Living for Zachary Upcoming events, Heart Screening and ways to donate to Living for Zachary and our cause. It could be your child next.

A Word from the American Heart Association - Hands Only - Staying Alive

The American Heart Association is asking what if you say an individual collapse? What would you do? Would you be able to save that person's life?  How long does it take you to pour a cup of coffee, add your sugar and creamer? You could save a life in the same amount of time that you have your morning coffee.

CPR can double the chance of a person's survival and the new campaign for the American Heart Association is doing CPR to the old 80's hit "Stayin Alive".

1/ Call 911
2/ push hard and fast in the center of the person's chest until help arrives.

How hard can that be to save a life and even the life of a loved one.

Bottom line is - Hands-Only CPR Can Save Lives.

Living for Zachary shares John Gregoire's 10 year Anniversary!

Living for Zachary celebrates 

Anniversary of Life

John Gregoire ‘s 10 year Anniversary of Life Celebration

John’s Story

On June 23rd, 2002 I experienced Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) while working out with my wife and two boys at our health club. I had no symptoms, no pain or shortness of breath. Even when SCA happened, it was like turning off a light switch. There was no discomfort or chest clutching, just darkness. A heart surgeon, who was also at the club, saw me collapse. He immediately recognized that it was SCA and began CPR but I was not responding. He then asked if the club had a defibrillator. The club had just recently purchased one, and he used it to shock my heart back into rhythm. I had 99.9% blockage of a major artery that stents now keep open and I recovered completely. Please get a heart screening to see if you have any blockage and support the availability of defibrillators. I have a Philips defibrillator at home and at my office.

 Learn more about John’s story by viewing:

Living for Zachary is honored to share John’s story as he celebrates this milestone!


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Important answers about Sudden Cardiac Arrest

In a continuing effort to bring awareness to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), we want to take the time to answer some important questions about SCA.

Is SCA a heart attack? It is not unusual to hear people equate SCA with heart attacks; however, the two are very different. SCA can happen to perfectly healthy people whom are caught off guard. A heart attack can be a trigger for sudden cardiac arrest, but the two differ in the effects they have on the human body. SCA leads to death when the ventricles are clogged (not the arteries, like in a heart attack). These ventricles take blood from the heart to the body, and when clogged, little blood escapes leading to brain cells dying rapidly.

SCA couldn’t happen to me, could it? Nearly 200,000 to 300,000 Americans a year die because of sudden cardiac arrest, many of which live healthy and active lives. This is becoming a more prominent issue in student athletes as well. Many Americans have a gene variation that will go on to be harmless; but in some circumstances this will lead to greater vulnerability for SCA.

How can I prevent myself from becoming a victim of SCA? Unfortunately, there is not a proper way to prevent yourself from falling victim to SCA. However, we encourage that you get tested and see if you are potentially vulnerable to SCA or any other heart conditions. Victims of SCA often opt to have automatic defibrillators surgically implanted in order to help regulate heartbeats.

At Living for Zachary we promote heart screenings for anyone but especially children from 12-22. People who have heart disease are at increased risk for SCA. However, most SCAs happen in people who appear healthy and have no known heart disease or other risk factors for SCA.

Living for Zachary encourages you to call 1-800-4BAYLOR today to schedule a Living for Zachary screening for your child today!

Seconds do count when Sudden Cardiac Arrest hits

More and more people are finding out more about heart issues and Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Many times when people realize what is going on, it's too late. Knowing the difference between SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) and a Heart attack can save your life!

With SCA (sudden cardiac arrest) there are problems with the heart's "electrical system." The heart's lower ventricles develop a rapid and irregular rhythm which makes the ventricles quiver instead of contract (like normal). This heart quivering makes the heart ineffective in pumping and can no longer supply the body and brain with oxygen; thus causing the person to lose consciousness and a pulse. Immediate CPR or using a AED can prevent death in a SCA patient... but the chances of survival decrease 10% every minute without a AED. The American Heart Association recommends using a AED or performing CPR within 5 minutes of collapse.

A heart attack is the result of one or more arteries that are blocked (many times by plaque) so they can no longer pump blood. The oxygen in the blood cannot reach the heart so the heart becomes damaged. It is more like a "plumbing problem" and is most of the time survivable.

Obviously SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) is very serious and possibly can be avoided. It is imperative to know your family history and your genetics. When you take your child to the Doctor, ask LOTS of question and check into cardiac screening at your health care facility. Investigate at your child's school; if the facility has a AED and is the staff trained in using the AED and CPR.

According to KHOU in Houston, TX more than 120 sixth grade children at Hogg Middle School in Houston, TX received heart screening; ultrasounds and electrocardiogram tests as a, on-going program to reduce Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth.

Make a difference before it's too late, donate to Living for Zachary and help raise awareness of SCA, Sudden Cardiac Arrest!