A sudden cardiac arrest is a condition where the heart’s normal rhythm suddenly becomes chaotic. The heart can no longer pump blood effectively around the body and the victim collapses, stops breathing, becomes unresponsive, and has no detectable pulse. The only proven treatment for SCA is the application of an electric shock to the heart using an automated external defibrillator (AED). This shock helps to restore the heart to a normal rhythm. SCA can affect anyone of any age. Although the risk of SCA increases with age and in people with heart problems, a large percentage of the victims are people with no known risk factors.