Annually 65,000 people die in Germany on sudden cardiac death. Especially a group of people is severely at risk. FOCUS Online explains how to protect yourself and what you need to do in case of an emergency.
Suddenly, the heart stops beating. The blood pressure falls to Zero. Affected together feel an Emptiness in the head and break after about eight seconds, unconscious. Within two to three minutes, breathing puts – death occurs after about ten minutes. So sad the facts in sudden cardiac death, which annually, in Germany alone, 65,000 people die.
As Prof. Dr. med. Dietrich Andresen, Chairman of the Executive Board of the German heart Foundation explains, is usually not a fateful event, in front of which there is no Escape: “The sudden cardiac death is usually a complication of a long-term cardiovascular disease,” the heart specialist. Most people who suffer from it and not to know are at risk.
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6 million people suffer from Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease, short-CHD, occurs most often in people over 40. Autopsies in sudden cardiac death deceased revealed that 75 percent of a CHD was present. A frightening number, because experts estimate that in Germany, around six million people are affected.
The reason is that CHD often occurs as a result of other diseases such as hypertension, Diabetes and lipid metabolism disorders such as, for example, a high cholesterol value.
But what exactly hides behind a coronary heart disease? According to the German heart Foundation is a circulatory disorder of the heart muscle due to a narrowing of the coronary vessels. This result in turn leads to scarring of the heart muscles and promote cardiac arrhythmias. Most frequently, the disease also causes heart failure (heart failure).
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Heart defects and delayed infections may be behind this
Behind the sudden cardiac death but also of other disease, especially in people under 40. Of the inflammation of the heart muscle, which is triggered by a protracted infection, i.e. bacteria and viruses, to congenital heart defects and genetically induced heart diseases.
An arousal disorder of the heart muscle, for example, the so-called ion channel diseases. Also another cause can play at just younger people, a role: the use of drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines.
More on the topic: Stumble, rhythm, Flicker – when a disorder of the heartbeat is dangerous is
So you protect yourself
The best strategy, as can be the sudden cardiac death is prevention. It is important to recognize risk factors and diseases of the heart soon enough. “We advise men and women over the age of 40 with a family history exists already in the past, regular Check-ups with the family doctor,” says Andresen. This diagnosed with a heart disease, it must be regularly checked by the cardiologist.
It turns out that it is a congenital heart defect, should be Affected to a EMAH-cardiologists go, specializing in adults with congenital heart defects (EMAH). 
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The are the warning signs for a sudden cardiac arrest
In the run-up to a Cardiac arrest, certain symptoms may occur. On these warning signs you should be aware of:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Heart stumble
- Brief Loss Of Consciousness
- Dizziness
- Impending Loss Of Consciousness
A heart occurs to a standstill, to persons in the environment of the person Concerned to respond quickly. Because due to the lack of oxygen transport within a few minutes, to organ damage – particularly the brain is affected. The German heart Foundation recommends the following steps:
Images and Videos for emergency help in case of cardiac arrest and heart attack, see www.herzstiftung.de/herznotfall-verhalten.html
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