Find hope and support after a Sudden Cardiac Arrest
If you or someone you love has survived a sudden cardiac arrest, you’ve found the right place. Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK is a peer support charity founded in 2015 by SCA survivors – for survivors, co-survivors, and everyone whose life has been touched by cardiac arrest. You are not alone.
Peer support built by survivors, for survivors
Recovering from a sudden cardiac arrest is unlike anything else. The physical effects — fatigue, memory problems, PTSD — are often invisible to people around you. The emotional weight can feel isolating, even when you’re surrounded by people who love you.
We understand, because we’ve been there.
Since 2015, SCAUK has connected survivors and co-survivors across the UK with peer support groups, trusted clinical information, and a community that genuinely gets it. Whether you’re three days or three years out from your arrest, there’s a place here for you.
We understand, because we’ve been there.
Since 2015, SCAUK has connected survivors and co-survivors across the UK with peer support groups, trusted clinical information, and a community that genuinely gets it. Whether you’re three days or three years out from your arrest, there’s a place here for you.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Most cardiac arrests happen at home, witnessed by a family member. A sudden cardiac arrest stops the heart without warning. Tens of thousands happen in the UK every year. Without immediate CPR and defibrillation, it’s fatal within minutes — but survival rates are rising. Recovery takes time, and it’s rarely linear. We have the information to help you understand what happened and what comes next.
Survivor
As a survivor, the effects of cardiac arrest often last long after you leave hospital — fatigue, memory problems, anxiety, PTSD, and changes to how you see yourself and the world. Recovery isn’t always visible to the people around you, and that isolation is real. Find peer support from people who’ve been exactly where you are, and information grounded in clinical evidence.
Co-Survivor
When someone you love survives a cardiac arrest, your life changes, too. Co-survivors often experience their own trauma, anxiety, and grief — while feeling pressure to hold everything together. Your experience matters and deserves proper support. Connect with other co-survivors who understand, and find resources written specifically for you.
Resuscitation Attempt
If you’ve been part of a resuscitation attempt, you may have questions about what happened. This experience can evoke many emotions; people often feel distressed or guilty for not doing more. If you played an active role, feel proud that you tried to save a life, though it can be traumatic for anyone involved.
Since 2015, SCA UK has:
- Supported thousands of survivors and co-survivors across the UK
- Built the world’s largest national cardiac arrest peer support community
- Published trusted information reviewed by cardiac clinicians
- Registered with the Charity Commission (no. 1200875)
- Contributed to UK and European guidelines
We’ve been where you are, and we’re here for every step of what comes next.
Latest Updates
Run the London Marathon 2027 for Team SCA UK: Your Charity Place Awaits
Missed out on the 2027 London Marathon ballot? Apply for a Team SCA UK charity place and run for survivors of sudden cardiac arrest. Apply now.
Team SCA UK London Marathon 2026: A Debut Worth Cheering
Team SCA UK London Marathon 2026 saw four heroic runners brave a roasting April day, with the team’s combined fundraising now hovering around £20,000.
The State of Resuscitation in 2026: A Conversation with Professor Jerry Nolan
Six years after our first conversation, Professor Jerry Nolan — editor in chief of the journal Resuscitation and a leading figure in the field … Read More
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