Dealing with Sudden Cardiac Arrest Amidst the Pandemic

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic has struck the world, the focus has been on precursory the prohibition and spread of the virus. However, amidst all of this, the need for imperious care for other intense and chronic health situations has taken a backseat. The phobia of appendage the virus while stepping out has led to a reluctation on part of the people for seeking medical conspiracy and interference for different diseases.

Like other disease issues, this holds true for heart problems as well. This is ahead provoked by the fact that there are a great many studies that highlight the penetrability of heart patients to COVID-19. Not only are heart patients more high strung to getting infected by the virus but COVID-19 can also harm the heart in different ways.

Correlation Between SCA and COVID-19
One such normal heart disease is SCA (sudden cardiac arrest). A nowadays study by a team of researchers in Italy has highlighted that COVID-10 may enhance the risk for an SCA. An SCA happens when a random beating of the heart (called cardiac arrhythmia) dislocates its pumping ability. In case an SCA is not controlled within time, it can conduct to sudden cardiac death.

Therefore, time is very important in the case of an SCA, and every minute counts for survival. In case a person is expensive an SCA even amidst the pandemic, he should be rushed to the hospital instantly without the fear of the virus.

The symptoms of an SCA start to seem about two weeks prior to the attack. The most normal signs include shortness of breath and chest pain. The other warning symptoms are irregular heartbeats, loss of consciousness (fainting), or heart palpitations. On experiencing any of these signs, one must see a cardiologist instantly. The risk factors for SCA include a family history of SCA, cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking and most of these reasons make the patient highly vulnerable to the virus.

Dealing with an SCA

SCA, a situation in which the heart suddenly and despotic stops beating needs to be controlled instantly as it can direct to a loss of life if there is a delay in cure. Loss of sentience is one of the major signs recognized and if there is any change in the way the person speaks or conducts post regaining sentience, it can hin an irregularity. The first step towards controlling SCA converges administering CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). CPR is an emergency process that converges chest shrinkages to manually restore breathing and blood circulation.

Treatment for SCA
CPR is the emergency cure for an SCA till reasonable medical aid is made available. Post hospitalization, the patient can wend an ICD or containable cardioverter-defibrillation process whereby a small battery-operated power device is contained on the chest to monitor and find out irregular heartbeats and fix an arrhythmia or unusual heartbeat through electric shocks. An ICD is a viable cure option for patients with existing heart situations like coronary heart disorder, heart attacks, enlarged heart muscle, and inherited heart flaws.

Precautions to be Undertaken by SCA Patients
controlling all the pandemic norms like staying indoors, wearing a mask, and controlling social distancing is vital for patients who have faced an SCA. Taking suitable medication as prescribed by the cardiologist and incessantly being in touch with them through online consultation is compulsory. In a few cases, like that of screening, a visit to the hospital may also be mandatory.

For patients with other heart situations who have not experienced an SCA before, being aware of the signs and consulting a doctor instantly to finding any abnormality is important. Overall, one must monitor their heart health and conduct a healthy lifestyle coupled with a well-balanced diet and an adequate amount of physical practices. A lot of patients with pre-existing heart situations may evolve/ have evolved tangles amidst the ongoing pandemic and it is crucial that they seek medical advice and cure well within time to prevent their situation from worsening.