Cheryl Jordan Winston, a Minnesota woman, is sharing her story of surviving sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) to raise awareness. In 2020, at 48 years old, she collapsed in her bedroom due to SCA. Her husband performed CPR until paramedics arrived and used an AED to shock her heart. Despite being pulseless for 25 minutes, she has no long-term side effects and has returned to normal life.
Winston had no prior symptoms or history of heart issues before her SCA. She received an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) as part of a clinical study to prevent future episodes. This device monitors her heart and provides therapy if an arrhythmia is detected, offering added protection since the cause of her SCA remains unknown.
Dr. Alan Cheng, from Medtronic, explains that SCA often results from a dangerously fast heart rhythm and can be deadly without immediate treatment. Traditional ICDs are placed in the chest with leads threaded into the heart, but Winston's ICD is different—it's placed outside the heart, under the breastbone, to reduce complications.
SCA can occur without warning and is often unheralded. Dr. Mustali Dohadwala advises seeking immediate medical attention for symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness, as these could indicate an underlying heart condition. Risk factors for SCA include age, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking, with men being more likely to experience it than women.
To improve survival chances, immediate CPR and defibrillation with an AED are crucial. Dohadwala also recommends lifestyle changes and, for those with a family history, genetic screenings. Winston emphasizes the importance of CPR and self-advocacy, especially for women, in managing heart health. Awareness and proactive healthcare can help prevent SCA and improve outcomes for those affected.
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