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Contrary to what you might think, sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack is a “plumbing” problem ‹ the arteries in the heart become blocked and blood flow is restricted to the heart muscle.

Sudden cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem. In most cases, the main causes of sudden cardiac arrest are ventricular arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat, or tachycardia, which is a rapid heart rate. Both conditions are due to the erratic electrical impulses of the heart and cause the heart to abruptly stop beating, cutting off blood flow to the entire body, including the brain.

One of the best ways to find out if you’re at risk for sudden cardiac arrest is to know your ejection fraction. Your ejection fraction will tell your physician the percentage of blood your heart is pumping out with every beat. Typically, people with an ejection fraction below 35 percent are at risk of developing the rapid heart rhythms that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. A healthy heart has an ejection fraction of 50 to 75 percent.

A simple echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart, will tell your physician if your ejection fraction is healthy. Many cardiologists perform echocardiograms in their offices. Beaumont Hospitals also offers this exam, with your physician’s prescription. You can schedule an echocardiogram at Beaumont by calling the Appointment Center at 800-328-8542.

Other risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest include having a personal history of heart attack, heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.

Working with your physician to create a clear, accurate medical history is often one of the best preventive steps you can take. Tell your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure or sudden cardiac death.

Since sudden cardiac arrest is considered a heart disease, controlling cholesterol, blood pressure, weight and diabetes can help. A heart-smart diet combined with exercise is a great way to reduce your risk factors. Your physician can help you find a diet and exercise program that works best for you.

If you find you’re at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, you may want to ask your physician if an implantable defibrillator is right for you. An implantable defibrillator is about the size of a pager and is surgically placed under the skin of your upper chest. The constant monitoring of the implantable defibrillator knows when your heart is beating too fast. In response, it sends electric shocks to your heart to stabilize the beat. Implantable defibrillators can be 98 percent effective in protecting you, if you have a proven risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere. It’s important for the person to receive treatment immediately. Time-to-treatment is critical. For every minute that passes without receiving treatment, the person’s survival rate drops by 10 percent. CPR is helpful to bridge the gap in time from when the person has the arrest to when he or she receives an electrical shock from an AED, the paramedics or an emergency center physician.

Sudden cardiac arrest knows no age. Know your risk factors. Talk to your doctor. Make healthy choices. And survive.