Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is when the heart suddenly stops beating normally and cannot pump blood to the rest of the body. This usually occurs unexpectedly.
Person usually collapses without warning
No breathing
No movement
No pulse
Results in ineffective blood and oxygen flow to vital organs
Cardiac arrest may have a variety of causes including heart disease, drowning, stroke, electrocution, suffocation, drug overdose, and trauma. In Canada, 35,000 – 45,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest each year.
Reference: Canadian Heart & Stroke