Description

• Heart attack survivors may be at risk of sudden cardiac death. A heart attack can damage heart tissue causing your heart to misbehave electrically. Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) limit your heart's ability to pump blood to the body and brain.

Risk Factors

Most patients have no obvious symptoms of SCD so it is important to be familiar with the possible risk factors. Risk factors may include:

• Previous heart attack
  A heart attack occurs when there is a mechanical problem with the plumbing of your heart. A blockage in one of the arteries nourishing your heart prevents blood and oxygen from reaching your heart muscle. Therefore, part of your heart tissue dies.
• Impaired pumping function of the heart muscle
  The pumping function of your heart (ejection fraction) may be impaired after a heart attack. This is due to scarring of the heart tissue.
• Rapid heart rhythms
  You could experience short bursts of fast heartbeats called non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). These rapid heartbeats may or may not be noticeable to you. Non-sustained VT is often the precursor to SCD.

Early identification is important. If you are at risk, talk to your doctor.

Diagnosis

• If you have had a heart attack, your doctor may perform one or more of the tests below to make a diagnosis.
  • Echocardiogram - Ultrasound waves are bounced off your heart muscle to provide a moving image and to determine your heart's pumping function (ejection fraction).
  • Holter Monitoring - A Holter Monitor is an external monitor that is worn for 24-hours (on an outpatient basis). The monitor records your heart's electrical activity including any episodes of arrhythmia.
  • Electrophysiology (EP) Testing - A small flexible wire guides electrodes into the heart which sends impulses to it and records the activity. The test provides information about your heart's electrical system, including any abnormal rhythms.

6/16/2008