And the likelihood of getting that care in time is improving. Sudden cardiac death, also called cardiac arrest, is usually related to a problem with the heart s electrical system. The most common cause of sudden cardiac death is ventricular defibrillation, a heart rhythm problem characterized by a rapid, chaotic quivering of the lower chambers of your heart. Because of the quivering, the heart stops pumping.
Brain death occurs in just four to six minutes unless the heart rhythm is restored.
Defibrillators, used to treat sudden cardiac death, now are available in an increasing number of public places like malls, stadiums and airplanes. The portable defibrillators can be programmed to recognize ventricular fibrillation and send a shock only when it s appropriate. People can be trained to use them in one four-hour class.