Golden hour for emergency treatment of cardiogenic sudden death

Written by Chen Guang Yin

Cardiology

Updated on September 04, 2024

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Cardiac arrest is now also a very frequent event. We have seen some reports of it occurring frequently at airports, train stations, and on public transport, involving middle-aged, elderly, or even young individuals. The golden window for emergency aid is 4 to 6 minutes, with shorter times being preferable. We say time is life because after 4 to 6 minutes, if effective circulation isn't restored, brain cells begin to die. Even if later resuscitation restores breathing and heartbeat, the individual may end up in a vegetative state. Therefore, within the shortest time frame of 4 to 6 minutes, external chest compressions, including opening the airway and artificial respiration, must be administered. The optimal window is 4 minutes, but no more than 6 minutes.

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Written by Chen Guang Yin

Cardiology

43sec

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Is cardiopulmonary resuscitation effective for sudden cardiac death?

Is cardiopulmonary resuscitation useful for sudden cardiac arrest? Of course, it is useful. The emergency measure for sudden cardiac arrest is to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. If the patient receives CPR within four minutes, they are very likely to survive. If there is a delay beyond four minutes, the patient’s life might still be prolonged if resuscitated, but they might suffer brain death and potentially become vegetative. Therefore, it is crucial to administer immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation to a patient experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, as this is the primary method of resuscitation.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

52sec

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Cardiogenic sudden death is often caused by what reasons and how to avoid it?

The most common cause of sudden cardiac death is currently acute myocardial infarction caused by coronary heart disease. The following measures can often effectively prevent sudden cardiac death: First, maintain good lifestyle habits, such as a low-salt, low-fat diet, maintain good emotional health, avoid extreme emotions, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and regular exercise is important. Second, active pharmaceutical treatment, such as in cases of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes, should be under the guidance of a doctor. It is crucial to use prescribed medications to lower blood pressure or blood sugar levels and control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar. Actively managing these conditions can effectively prevent the occurrence of coronary heart disease.

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Written by Chen Guang Yin

Cardiology

34sec

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Is sudden cardiac death hereditary?

The majority of sudden cardiac deaths are caused by acute and extensive myocardial infarction, with some caused by malignant arrhythmias. Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease has a genetic history. Patients with such a family history, especially those with early-onset heart disease family history—that is, a family history of heart disease before the age of 50—should be given high attention. Heart disease has a genetic predisposition, and since sudden cardiac death is a type of heart disease, it also has a genetic predisposition.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 14sec

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The difference between sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction.

Sudden cardiac death refers to the sudden death of a patient caused by various heart diseases. The most common causes include malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, severe bradycardia, significant valvular dysfunction, or the sudden occlusion of the coronary arteries leading to death. Myocardial infarction, on the other hand, refers to the sudden cessation of blood supply to the heart vessels, causing myocardial death and leading to arrhythmias or valvular dysfunction, which presents a range of symptoms in patients. Myocardial infarction can result in death in 30% of patients, but with medical intervention, the mortality rate can significantly decrease. Therefore, in cases of sudden cardiac death, the patients are already deceased. However, the mortality rate from myocardial infarction under natural circumstances is relatively high, reaching 30%. With current medical interventions, the rate of mortality due to sudden cardiac death can be reduced to less than 10%.

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Written by Chen Guang Yin

Cardiology

52sec

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How to Self-Check for Precursors of Cardiogenic Sudden Death

The majority of cases of sudden cardiac death are due to coronary artery atherosclerotic heart disease, causing extensive myocardial infarction, hence these patients often have precursors. Some individuals experience acute coronary syndrome due to inflammatory changes, leading to thrombosis; others, such as young people without any underlying conditions, might also experience this, often due to poor lifestyle habits like high stress and lack of sleep among other triggers. Most patients exhibit warning signs, including chest tightness, chest pain, and palpitations – symptoms of heart disease. When these problems occur, it is crucial to promptly visit a hospital for examination to determine if there are issues with the coronary arteries, and if so, to receive timely treatment and intervention.