FAQ

Cardiac anxiety is a specific pattern of health anxiety that develops after a cardiac event such as a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Survivors become hypervigilant about their heart, monitoring every beat, twinge, or sensation for signs that something is wrong. Normal physical sensations, such as a slightly raised pulse after climbing stairs, can trigger significant fear.

Cardiac anxiety is closely related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research suggests that between 20 and 30 per cent of cardiac arrest survivors experience clinically significant levels of anxiety or PTSD in the months and years that follow. Many more experience subclinical levels that still significantly affect their quality of life.

If you think you may be experiencing cardiac anxiety, speaking to your GP is a good starting point. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has a good evidence base for this type of anxiety. The British Heart Foundation also offers information on psychological support after a cardiac event.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

In a word, yes — and we would love to have you on the team. Our 2026 debut team included a cardiac arrest survivor who completed the course in fine style, and his achievement remains one of our proudest moments.

However, our overriding priority is that every Team SCA UK runner gets to the finish line safely. For that reason, we ask all survivor applicants to obtain written medical clearance from their cardiologist (or appropriate specialist) confirming they are fit to undertake marathon training and to race 26.2 miles.

We also ask that at least six months have passed since your cardiac event before applying, and ideally 18 months before race day. If you are unsure whether running is appropriate for you, your cardiac rehabilitation team or cardiologist is the right first call. You can read more about returning to normal activities after cardiac arrest in our information section.

We would rather lose a place than lose a runner.

Category: Sports

Absolutely not. We welcome survivors, co-survivors, family members, friends, and anyone who cares about the cause. A personal connection to sudden cardiac arrest helps tell a compelling fundraising story, but passion for the cause matters far more than biography.

If you want to run, raise money, and be part of a community that genuinely understands why this work matters, we would love to hear from you.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

It is very common, and it is important to say so clearly.

Research consistently shows that many cardiac arrest survivors live with lasting effects — whether physical, cognitive or psychological — even when their clinical results look reassuring. Feeling that something has changed, that you tire more easily, worry more, or simply cannot quite get back to who you were before, is a recognised part of survivorship. It does not mean something has been missed medically. It means recovery is complex.

Some of the effects of cardiac arrest are visible — a scar, a device, a medication. Others are invisible. Cognitive changes such as slower processing, difficulties with memory or concentration, and fatigue that does not match how you look from the outside are all commonly reported. So is a persistent sense of anxiety, hypervigilance about your own body, or a changed relationship with the future.

These experiences are not a sign of weakness or failure to recover. They are normal responses to an event in which your heart stopped.

If you are not feeling back to normal, it is worth raising this with your GP or cardiac team rather than waiting to see if it resolves. You deserve support that reflects the full complexity of what you have been through, not just a reassuring scan result.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Good follow-up care after cardiac arrest should be tailored to the individual, rather than relying on a standard set of tests that produce a single summary score.

For older survivors, good follow-up would include a careful assessment of physical functioning — the ability to move around, carry out self-care, manage daily activities and live independently. Identifying these difficulties early means support and adaptations can be put in place before problems become entrenched.

For younger survivors, good follow-up would include deliberate, compassionate attention to psychological wellbeing — anxiety screening, assessment for PTSD and depression, and support for returning to work and social life. These are not optional extras; they are core outcomes that matter as much as cardiac function.

For all survivors, good follow-up should treat quality of life as having several distinct dimensions — physical, psychological, cognitive and social — not as a single measure. It should continue beyond the first few months, since some effects of cardiac arrest emerge or persist over a longer period.

The RCUK Survivor Quality Standard, published in 2024, sets out a framework for exactly this kind of follow-up. If you are not receiving structured review that addresses your whole experience, it is worth asking your GP or cardiac team what is available to you.

Category: Psychological Support

The underlying findings are broadly relevant to UK survivors. The physical and psychological challenges of recovering from cardiac arrest are not specific to any country, and the core patterns are consistent with research from across Europe and beyond.

Older survivors everywhere face the risk of increasing physical limitations. Younger survivors everywhere can struggle with anxiety and psychological adjustment following a traumatic cardiac event. These are consequences of the biology of cardiac arrest and of what it means to face your own mortality at different stages of life, not features of any particular healthcare system.

The specific numbers in the Danish study may vary slightly in a UK setting, and differences in healthcare provision, rehabilitation access and follow-up models will shape how well survivors are supported. But the fundamental message — that recovery looks very different depending on age, and that a single overall measure is not sufficient — applies directly here.

The RCUK Survivor Quality Standard and international guidelines from the European Resuscitation Council, both of which are relevant to UK practice, reflect similar principles about the need for personalised, domain-specific follow-up care.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Yes, based on current research and international guidelines, they should.

Mental health screening — including assessment for anxiety and depression — is recommended as part of post-cardiac arrest follow-up care by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the European Resuscitation Council. Psychological distress is common after cardiac arrest, affecting an estimated 15 to 30% of survivors, and can be just as disabling as physical limitations.

In practice, many follow-up appointments focus primarily or exclusively on cardiac function — the echocardiogram, the device check, the heart rhythm. While these are important, they tell your clinical team very little about how you are managing your anxiety, your sleep, your ability to return to work, or your fear of a recurrence.

If your appointments have not included a conversation about your mental health or psychological wellbeing, it is worth raising this yourself. You might say: “I’ve been struggling with anxiety since the arrest” or “I don’t feel like myself — is there support available?” Your GP, cardiologist or cardiac rehabilitation team can make referrals to psychological support services.

You do not have to wait until things reach crisis point. Raising concerns early leads to better outcomes.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

The figure is higher than many people expect, particularly given that younger survivors tend to have fewer physical problems and are often considered to be doing well. But surviving a cardiac arrest at a young age can be deeply distressing in ways that a physical assessment alone does not capture.

There is the shock of the event itself. The visceral knowledge that your heart stopped. The disruption to work, family life and a future that had seemed secure. The ongoing uncertainty about whether it could happen again. For those in their twenties, thirties or forties — perhaps with young children, a demanding job, and decades of plans — the psychological toll can be severe and long-lasting.

Research has consistently found that anxiety, depression and PTSD are common after cardiac arrest, and that younger survivors are disproportionately affected psychologically. A major Danish study found anxiety levels of nearly 30% in survivors under 35, compared to around 13.5% in those over 75.

Anxiety is a natural response to a traumatic event. The difficulty is that it can go undetected if follow-up appointments are focused almost entirely on physical recovery. If you are experiencing persistent worry, fear or panic since your cardiac arrest, it is worth raising this directly with your GP or cardiac team. You do not have to wait to be asked.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

This is exactly the point that recent research has highlighted. When clinicians use a single overall score to measure how a survivor is doing, it can average out very different problems and make everyone appear roughly similar on paper.

In a large Danish study of over 2,500 survivors, the overall quality-of-life scores varied little between age groups. On a summary measure, older and younger survivors looked broadly comparable. But when researchers examined individual areas — mobility, self-care, usual activities, anxiety and depression — clear and significant differences between age groups appeared.

As the study’s commentators put it, summary measures can make meaningfully different survivorship burdens appear deceptively similar. A 67-year-old with limited mobility and a 32-year-old with persistent anxiety may score identically on a composite scale. But they are not having the same experience of survival.

This matters practically. If your doctor sees a reassuring overall score and moves on, real difficulties in specific areas can go unaddressed. If you feel something is wrong but have been told your scores look fine, you are right to push for a more detailed conversation about how you are actually living day to day.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

After a cardiac arrest, both the body and mind go through a significant recovery process. The difference age makes comes down to what each group is most vulnerable to at that stage of life.

For older survivors, a cardiac arrest can accelerate or worsen physical decline that was already beginning. Mobility, self-care and the ability to carry out daily activities can all become noticeably harder. These changes may seem gradual, and it is not always easy to connect them clearly to the arrest, particularly when overall clinical scores look reassuring.

For younger survivors, the psychological impact tends to dominate. Being young and otherwise healthy, then experiencing a sudden, life-threatening event, can trigger intense anxiety and a lasting fear that it will happen again. There is also the disruption to work, family life and long-term plans that older survivors may be less reliant on in the same way.

A major Danish study of 2,552 survivors found that older survivors (particularly those over 75) reported significantly higher rates of physical difficulty, while those under 35 showed anxiety levels of nearly 30%. These are genuinely different experiences of the same event, shaped by age and life stage — and they call for different types of support.

Category: Recovery

Many people who experience sudden cardiac arrest have no prior diagnosis — which is part of what makes it so devastating. However, there are warning signs that should always be taken seriously and investigated:

Unexplained fainting, particularly during or immediately after exercise, or in response to a sudden loud noise or fright.

Unexplained seizures that your doctor has not been able to explain with a neurological cause.

Palpitations — a racing, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat — that come on during physical activity.

Significant breathlessness or dizziness during exercise that seems disproportionate to the effort.

A family history of young sudden death — anyone in your family who died suddenly and unexpectedly under the age of 40, or who was found to have an inherited heart condition.

A known inherited cardiac condition in a close relative, even if you have no symptoms yourself.

If any of these apply to you or a family member, do not wait. Speak to your GP about a referral to a cardiologist, or ask specifically about a referral to an inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) clinic. Many inherited heart conditions are highly treatable when identified early.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Yes. Sudden cardiac arrest can affect children and young people, and it is more common than most people realise. It usually happens because of an inherited heart condition that has not been identified — often because the child had no obvious symptoms beforehand.

Conditions that can cause cardiac arrest in children and teenagers include:

CPVT (Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia) — triggered by exercise or sudden fright, often presenting in the first two decades of life.

Long QT Syndrome — which can cause dangerous arrhythmias during exercise, swimming, or in response to sudden loud noise, and sometimes during sleep.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) — the most common inherited heart muscle condition, which can affect young people and is associated with exercise-triggered events.

ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy) — a genetic condition that can affect young adults, particularly those who exercise regularly.

This is one reason why cardiac screening of young athletes, and the families of anyone who has experienced a young sudden death or been diagnosed with an inherited cardiac condition, is so important. If a child in your family has been diagnosed with an inherited heart condition, all first-degree relatives — including siblings — should be assessed by a specialist.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Having an inherited heart condition does not mean you will experience a cardiac arrest. It means you need the right specialist care, regular monitoring, and an informed conversation with your cardiologist about your personal risk profile.

Many people live long, full lives with conditions such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Long QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, CPVT, ARVC, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy — particularly when they are well managed. Understanding your specific triggers, adhering to any activity guidance, and taking prescribed medication consistently all make a significant difference.

Key steps if you have an inherited heart condition:

Know your triggers. Some conditions are provoked by exercise; others by sleep, sudden noise, or fever. Ask your cardiologist specifically what yours are.

Ask about treatment options. Medication, an ICD, catheter ablation, or a combination may all be relevant depending on your condition and risk.

Ensure your family is screened. Many inherited cardiac conditions can pass silently through families. First-degree relatives should be assessed even if they have no symptoms.

If you feel your condition is not being adequately monitored, ask your GP for a referral to an inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) clinic.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Commotio cordis is sudden cardiac arrest caused by a blunt, non-penetrating blow to the chest — not by an underlying heart condition. The chest wall itself is intact, but the impact arrives at a precise moment in the heart’s electrical cycle, triggering ventricular fibrillation. It is almost always associated with sporting activities involving a fast-moving projectile, such as cricket, baseball, ice hockey, or lacrosse.

It most commonly affects young males in their teens and early twenties, whose chest walls are more compliant than those of adults, making the electrical disruption more likely. The heart does not need to be diseased or structurally abnormal for commotio cordis to occur — it can happen to any young person in the wrong circumstances.

Survival depends entirely on how quickly CPR and defibrillation are delivered. Without immediate intervention, commotio cordis is almost universally fatal. With rapid CPR and AED use, survival rates have improved significantly. This is why the presence of AEDs at sports venues and schools, and CPR training among coaches and sports staff, is particularly important in the context of youth sport.

If your child plays contact or projectile sports, it is worth confirming that coaches are trained in CPR and that an AED is accessible at the venue.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Following a cardiac arrest, your child will be admitted to hospital — usually to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) — for monitoring, investigation, and stabilisation. The immediate priority is establishing why the arrest happened. This will typically involve an ECG, echocardiogram, blood tests, and possibly an MRI or genetic testing depending on the suspected cause.

If no reversible cause is found, your child’s team will discuss longer-term treatment options. In many cases this will include an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The decision is made jointly between the cardiac team, your child (where age-appropriate), and you as parents or guardians.

Before discharge, you should expect a clear plan covering follow-up appointments, any medication prescribed, activity restrictions, what to do in an emergency, and who to contact with questions. If you do not receive this, ask for it explicitly — you are entitled to it.

The experience is profoundly distressing for parents and family members. Psychological support is available and you should not have to manage this alone. Ask your cardiac team for a referral to a clinical psychologist, and contact SCA UK to connect with other parents who have been through the same experience.

Category: Psychological Support

Normal breathing is steady, quiet, and happens twelve to twenty times per minute in adults. Agonal breathing is irregular, loud, and happens only two or three times per minute, sometimes less. Normal breathing delivers oxygen to the blood. Agonal gasping does not. Anyone showing agonal breathing while unresponsive is in cardiac arrest and needs CPR.

The simplest way to tell the difference is to look at the whole picture. A person breathing normally will be responsive, with a regular chest rise and fall and quiet airflow. A person with agonal breathing will be unresponsive, with infrequent gasps and often a snoring or gurgling sound. The chest may move briefly between gasps before stopping altogether.

If you cannot tell whether breathing is normal, treat it as not normal. The cost of starting CPR on someone who turns out to be fine is minor. The cost of not starting CPR on someone in cardiac arrest is fatal.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Yes. If someone has collapsed, is unresponsive, and is gasping or breathing abnormally, treat it as cardiac arrest. Call 999 and start chest compressions straight away. The 999 dispatcher will guide you through what to do. Do not wait to see whether the gasping stops first. Every minute without CPR cuts the chance of survival.

Gasping during cardiac arrest is called agonal breathing, and it is not effective breathing. The person is not getting any oxygen. Bystander hesitation is one of the biggest factors in poor cardiac arrest outcomes in the UK. A common reason for hesitation is uncertainty about whether the person is really not breathing.

If you are unsure, start CPR. The Resuscitation Council UK and every major guideline are clear: if someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin chest compressions. You will not harm a person who turns out to be alive, and you may save the life of someone in cardiac arrest.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

No. Agonal breathing is a brain stem reflex, not real breathing. The person is unresponsive, the heart is not circulating blood, and oxygen is not reaching the body. Without immediate CPR and defibrillation, they will die.

This is one of the most dangerous misunderstandings in bystander response to cardiac arrest. Because the chest still moves and there is still some sound of breathing, witnesses often assume the person is breathing normally. They wait for paramedics instead of starting CPR. By the time help arrives, the chance of survival has often gone.

If someone is unresponsive and you see agonal breathing, treat it as cardiac arrest. Call 999 and start chest compressions. You cannot make things worse, but you can save a life.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Agonal breathing usually lasts a few minutes after someone goes into cardiac arrest. Some people stop gasping within thirty seconds, while others continue for several minutes. Once the gasps stop, the person has gone into full respiratory arrest. CPR should already be underway by that point.

The length of time agonal breathing continues is not a useful measure of how long someone has left. The brain begins to suffer damage from lack of oxygen within four to six minutes of cardiac arrest. Survival drops sharply with every minute that passes without chest compressions and a defibrillator. Do not wait for the gasping to stop. Start CPR as soon as you recognise it.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Agonal breathing usually sounds like loud snoring, gurgling, choking, or moaning. Some people describe it as a wet rasping noise or a low groan. It is not the soft, regular sound of normal breathing, and it comes in slow gasps rather than a steady rhythm.

Witnesses often describe being startled by how loud the sound is. It can be loud enough to wake someone in another room, which is sometimes how a cardiac arrest at home is first noticed. Despite how dramatic the sound is, the person making it is unresponsive and not breathing properly.

Category: Agonal Breathing

In the UK, CPR training is available through several organisations:

St John Ambulance (sja.org.uk) — offers face-to-face courses, online learning, and free resources including video guides.

British Red Cross (redcross.org.uk) — provides face-to-face and blended learning CPR courses.

St Andrew’s First Aid (firstaid.org.uk) — based in Scotland, provides first aid and CPR training.

NHS and ambulance services — many ambulance trusts offer free community CPR training. Contact your local ambulance service to find out what is available in your area.

Resuscitation Council UK (resus.org.uk) — provides guidance on CPR training standards and a directory of recognised training providers.

Free online resources — the British Heart Foundation’s Heartstart programme and Resuscitation Council UK both offer free instructional videos and guides. These are not a substitute for hands-on practice but are a useful introduction.

You do not need formal training to act in a cardiac arrest emergency — calling 999 and following the dispatcher’s instructions is sufficient. However, even a short training course significantly increases confidence and effectiveness.

Category: Practical Issues

If the person starts to show signs of life during CPR \u2014 normal breathing, coughing, purposeful movement, or opening their eyes \u2014 stop CPR and assess them.

If they are breathing normally, place them in the recovery position: roll them onto their side, tilt the head back to keep the airway open, and bend the top knee forward to stabilise them. Stay with them and monitor their breathing until the ambulance arrives.

Do not leave them unattended. If they stop breathing again, restart CPR immediately.

If they are not breathing normally despite showing some movement, continue CPR.

Tell the 999 dispatcher what has changed \u2014 they will advise you on what to do next.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

The Circuit is the national defibrillator network for the UK, operated by the British Heart Foundation on behalf of NHS England. It is a register of publicly accessible AEDs \u2014 defibrillators that can be used by any bystander in an emergency.

When you call 999 about a cardiac arrest, ambulance dispatchers can access The Circuit to identify and direct bystanders to the nearest registered AED, potentially saving vital minutes.

You can also search for AED locations yourself at thecircuit.org.uk or via the NHS app.

If you have a defibrillator \u2014 in a sports club, workplace, school, church, or community building \u2014 registering it on The Circuit means it will show up to 999 dispatchers in an emergency. Registration is free and takes only a few minutes. It could mean the difference between life and death for someone in your community.

Category: Practical Issues

Using an AED is straightforward. The device is designed for bystanders with no medical training and gives clear spoken and visual instructions at every step.

1. Switch the AED on. Most devices power on when you open the lid or press a button.

2. Follow the spoken instructions. The AED will tell you exactly what to do.

3. Attach the pads. Remove or cut through clothing to expose the bare chest. Peel the pads from their backing and attach them in the positions shown in the pictures on the pads themselves \u2014 one below the right collarbone, one on the left side below the armpit.

4. Let the AED analyse the heart rhythm. Stay still and make sure no one is touching the person while the AED analyses. It will tell you not to touch.

5. Deliver a shock if advised. If a shock is needed, the AED will charge and tell you to press the shock button (or, on fully automatic devices, will deliver the shock itself). Make sure no one is touching the person before pressing the button.

6. Resume CPR immediately. As soon as the shock is delivered, restart chest compressions. The AED will prompt you to continue CPR and will analyse the rhythm again after two minutes.

If the AED advises no shock is needed, continue CPR. The AED will reassess regularly and advise if a shock becomes appropriate.

You cannot accidentally shock someone who does not need it \u2014 the AED will only allow a shock if the rhythm requires it.

Category: CPR

Continue CPR without stopping until one of the following happens:

A defibrillator (AED) arrives and is ready to use \u2014 follow the AED’s instructions, which will tell you when to stop compressions for a shock and when to resume.

The ambulance crew arrives and takes over \u2014 tell them how long you have been doing CPR and whether the AED has been used.

The person starts showing clear signs of life \u2014 normal breathing, coughing, or purposeful movement. If this happens, stop CPR, place them in the recovery position if they are breathing, and stay with them until the ambulance arrives.

You are physically unable to continue \u2014 if there is anyone else present, ask them to take over. Even brief pauses in compressions reduce the chance of survival, so try to swap with as little interruption as possible.

Do not give up before the ambulance arrives unless you are physically unable to continue. People have survived after prolonged CPR. The 999 dispatcher will stay on the line with you and can advise.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Push down firmly to a depth of 5\u20136cm \u2014 roughly a third of the depth of the chest. This sounds deep but is necessary to actually compress the heart and pump blood. Light or shallow compressions do not move enough blood to be effective.

Allow the chest to fully recoil (rise back up) between each compression. Leaning on the chest prevents the heart from refilling between compressions.

If you are worried about causing injury, it is worth knowing that rib fractures do sometimes occur during effective CPR \u2014 particularly in older adults. A broken rib is a treatable injury. Cardiac arrest without CPR is not survivable. Effective CPR is always worth any risk of minor injury.

Category: CPR

You do not need to give rescue breaths. Hands-only CPR \u2014 continuous chest compressions without rescue breaths \u2014 is recommended by Resuscitation Council UK for bystanders who are untrained, unwilling to give rescue breaths, or unable to do so.

In the first few minutes after a cardiac arrest, the blood still contains enough oxygen to supply the brain and heart if compressions are delivered promptly and continuously. Stopping to give rescue breaths interrupts blood flow and is less important than maintaining continuous, high-quality compressions.

If you have been trained in CPR and are confident giving rescue breaths, a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths is recommended. But if you are not confident with rescue breaths, do not let that stop you from doing compressions \u2014 hands-only CPR is highly effective and far better than doing nothing.

The only situation where rescue breaths are considered more important is cardiac arrest in children, where the arrest is more likely to be caused by a breathing problem. In this case, if you can, five initial rescue breaths followed by 30:2 CPR is recommended \u2014 though again, compressions alone are better than nothing.

Category: CPR

Yes. When you call 999 about a cardiac arrest, the emergency dispatcher can guide you through CPR step by step over the phone \u2014 even if you have never done it before and feel completely unsure. This is called dispatcher-assisted CPR or telephone CPR.

The dispatcher will ask you a few quick questions to confirm the person is in cardiac arrest, then give you clear, calm instructions on where to place your hands and how fast to compress. You do not need to remember anything in advance \u2014 just call 999 and follow what you are told.

Telephone CPR has been shown to increase bystander CPR rates and improve survival. Do not hesitate to call because you are worried about doing it wrong. The dispatcher is there to help you.

If someone else is with you, one person can stay on the phone with the dispatcher while the other does the compressions.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

A person is likely to be in cardiac arrest if they are unresponsive and not breathing normally. The key signs are:

Unresponsive: they do not react when you tap their shoulders and call to them.

Not breathing normally: they are making no breathing movements, or they are making occasional gasping or snorting sounds. These gasps \u2014 known as agonal breathing \u2014 are a sign of cardiac arrest and should not be mistaken for normal breathing.

You should not spend more than 10 seconds checking for breathing. If you are not sure whether someone is breathing normally, treat them as if they are in cardiac arrest \u2014 call 999 and start CPR immediately.

You do not need to check for a pulse. Unless you are a trained healthcare professional, pulse checks are unreliable and take too long. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR. You cannot make the situation worse by acting.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

If you find someone who has collapsed and is unresponsive, follow these steps:

1. Check for danger. Make sure it is safe to approach.

2. Check for a response. Tap their shoulders and shout "Are you alright?"

3. Call for help. Shout for someone nearby to help you.

4. Open the airway. Tilt the head back gently and lift the chin.

5. Check for normal breathing. Look, listen, and feel for no more than 10 seconds. Occasional gasps are not normal breathing.

6. Call 999 immediately \u2014 or ask someone else to call while you start CPR. Tell the dispatcher the person is not breathing. They will guide you through CPR.

7. Send someone for the nearest AED. Ask a bystander to find one \u2014 the 999 dispatcher can give the location of the nearest registered device.

8. Start CPR. Place both hands on the centre of the chest and push down hard and fast \u2014 5\u20136cm deep at 100\u2013120 compressions per minute. Do not stop until the ambulance arrives or an AED is ready.

9. Use the AED as soon as it arrives. Switch it on and follow the spoken instructions.

If there are other people with you, one person should do CPR while another calls 999 and a third goes for the AED. Do not leave the person alone if you can help it.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Life insurance is available after cardiac arrest and with an ICD, but it will typically be more expensive than standard rates and some providers may decline certain types of cover. The market varies considerably between insurers, so it is important to shop around and use a specialist broker where possible.

When applying for life insurance, you are required to disclose your medical history, including your cardiac arrest and any devices or conditions. Failing to disclose is likely to make any claim invalid. Insurers will usually ask for details of the event, the cause, your current medications, device type, and the results of your most recent cardiac review.

Some policies may be available at standard rates, particularly if the cardiac arrest occurred some years ago, the cause has been fully treated, you have a well-functioning ICD, and there are no other significant health conditions. Others will be offered at "loaded" (increased) premiums, or with exclusions for cardiac-related claims.

For those who cannot obtain standard life insurance, options include over-50s guaranteed acceptance plans (which do not require medical questions but typically pay a fixed sum) and specialist insurers who focus on people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The British Heart Foundation produces guidance on insurance for people with heart conditions. Specialist financial advisers experienced in this area can help identify the most suitable options.

A cardiac arrest does not mean life insurance is impossible — it means you need to look harder and possibly pay more.

Category: Implantable Devices

CPVT — Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia — is a rare inherited arrhythmia syndrome in which the heart is structurally normal but specific triggers, particularly physical exertion or emotional stress, can provoke dangerous ventricular arrhythmias. These can cause palpitations, blackouts, or sudden cardiac arrest.

CPVT is caused by mutations affecting calcium regulation within heart muscle cells, most commonly in the RYR2 gene. It typically presents in childhood or adolescence and can cause sudden cardiac arrest in young people who appear otherwise completely healthy. A standard resting ECG may be normal; an exercise stress test often reveals the characteristic bidirectional ventricular tachycardia.

Treatment includes beta-blockers to reduce the risk of arrhythmias triggered by adrenaline, strict avoidance of competitive and high-intensity exercise, and in many cases ICD implantation. Some patients are also treated with flecainide.

Because CPVT is inherited, family screening is essential following a diagnosis. First-degree relatives should be assessed with an exercise stress test as well as a resting ECG and echocardiogram, as the resting ECG may appear entirely normal even in affected individuals.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited heart muscle condition. In HCM, the walls of the heart — most often the left ventricle — become abnormally thickened (hypertrophied), which can obstruct blood flow, cause the heart to pump less efficiently, and create dangerous arrhythmias.

HCM affects approximately 1 in 500 people and is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young people, including young athletes. Many people with HCM have no symptoms at all; others experience breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, or blackouts. In some cases, the first sign of HCM is a cardiac arrest.

HCM is caused by mutations in genes that encode the proteins of the heart muscle, most commonly MYH7 and MYBPC3. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning each first-degree relative of someone with HCM has a 50% chance of carrying the same gene variant.

Treatment depends on symptoms and risk profile and may include medication (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers), a procedure called septal reduction therapy (to reduce obstruction), and ICD implantation for those at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

Family screening — with ECG, echocardiogram, and genetic testing — is strongly recommended for all first-degree relatives.

Category: Implantable Devices

Brugada Syndrome is an inherited heart condition in which the heart’s electrical system malfunctions despite the heart having a normal structure. It is caused by mutations affecting sodium channels in heart cells — most commonly in the SCN5A gene — and produces a characteristic pattern on an ECG. People with Brugada Syndrome are at risk of dangerous ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), which can cause sudden cardiac arrest, most often at rest or during sleep.

Brugada Syndrome is more common in men and in people of South-East Asian descent. It may be diagnosed after an unexplained cardiac arrest, after an abnormal ECG is found incidentally, or through family screening following a diagnosis in a relative.

The main treatment for those considered at high risk is an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator), which can detect and terminate life-threatening arrhythmias. Certain medications and substances — including some antidepressants, sodium channel-blocking drugs, and large amounts of alcohol — can trigger arrhythmias in Brugada Syndrome and should be discussed with your cardiologist.

Because Brugada Syndrome is inherited, first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) of anyone diagnosed should be offered cardiac screening.

Category: Implantable Devices

If your cardiac arrest was caused by or is suspected to be related to an inherited heart condition, it is important that your first-degree relatives — parents, siblings, and children — are offered cardiac screening. This is recommended regardless of whether they have symptoms, as many inherited cardiac conditions produce no warning signs until a serious arrhythmia occurs.

You do not need to wait for your relatives to develop symptoms before seeking assessment. Proactively identifying a condition in a family member — before an event occurs — could save their life.

In the UK, inherited cardiac conditions are managed by specialist cardiac genetics or inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) services, often based at regional cardiac centres. Your cardiologist or electrophysiologist should be able to refer you and your relatives to the appropriate service. The process typically begins with a detailed family history, followed by investigations such as ECG, echocardiogram, exercise testing, and in some cases genetic blood testing.

The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and the British Heart Foundation also provide information and support for families affected by inherited cardiac conditions.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

It depends on the cause. Cardiac arrest itself is not directly inherited — but many of the conditions that cause it can run in families.

If your cardiac arrest was caused by an inherited condition such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Long QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, or Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), there is a significant chance that first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) may carry the same genetic variant and be at increased risk themselves. In some conditions, the risk to first-degree relatives is as high as 50%.

If your cardiac arrest was caused by coronary artery disease (blocked arteries), there is an increased familial risk of heart disease, though this is due to a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors rather than a single gene.

If no cause was identified (idiopathic ventricular fibrillation), inherited channelopathies are sometimes present without a detectable structural abnormality, and family screening may still be recommended.

Your cardiologist or electrophysiologist should discuss family screening with you following your cardiac arrest. If they have not, ask them directly. The process typically involves first-degree relatives having an ECG, echocardiogram, and in some cases genetic testing.

Category: Inherited Conditions

Cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) is a structured programme combining exercise, education, and psychological support to help people recover after a cardiac event such as a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or heart surgery. It is delivered by a multidisciplinary team and is typically offered as a course of weekly sessions over 6–8 weeks.

If you have survived a cardiac arrest, cardiac rehabilitation is recommended and you should be offered a referral by your cardiac team or GP. Evidence shows that it reduces mortality, improves cardiovascular fitness, reduces anxiety and depression, and helps people return to work and normal activities with greater confidence.

Cardiac rehab programmes typically include supervised, gradually increasing physical exercise tailored to your individual fitness and heart condition; education sessions covering topics such as medications, diet, managing risk factors, and understanding your condition; and psychological support addressing anxiety, mood, and adjustment to life after a cardiac event.

If you have not been referred to cardiac rehabilitation, ask your GP or cardiologist. Some programmes are also available online or as hybrid models. The British Heart Foundation’s Cardiac Rehab service finder can help you locate programmes near you.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Several routes to psychological support are available after cardiac arrest.

Your GP is the first point of contact. They can assess your mental health, prescribe medication if appropriate, and refer you to talking therapy. In England, NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) provides free CBT, counselling, and other therapies, usually without a long wait. You can also self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies online without going through your GP first.

Your cardiac team may also be able to refer you to a clinical psychologist or cardiac rehabilitation programme. Cardiac rehabilitation often includes a psychological component alongside exercise and education, and is recommended for cardiac arrest survivors.

For more specialist support — for example, if you have complex PTSD, severe depression, or significant cognitive impairment — your GP can refer you to community mental health services or a neuropsychologist.

Peer support — connecting with other survivors and co-survivors who understand the experience from the inside — is highly valued by many people after cardiac arrest. Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK can connect you with peer support resources and a community of people who have been through similar experiences.

For co-survivors, the same routes apply. You do not need to have been the patient to deserve psychological support.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Yes. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is common after cardiac arrest — both in survivors and in co-survivors who witnessed the event or performed CPR.

Survivors may develop PTSD even without remembering the arrest itself. PTSD can develop in relation to the ICU experience, the fear of further cardiac events, distressing memories of what happened in hospital, or the experience of receiving ICD shocks. Symptoms include flashbacks or intrusive thoughts, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance of reminders of the event, emotional numbing, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.

Co-survivors — partners, family members, and friends — are also at significant risk of PTSD following a cardiac arrest. The experience of witnessing a collapse, performing CPR, or facing the possibility of losing someone is profoundly traumatic.

PTSD is a recognised medical condition and is treatable. The most effective treatments include trauma-focused CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). Both are available through NHS Talking Therapies — speak to your GP for a referral. You do not have to be formally diagnosed with PTSD to access these services; if you are experiencing significant distress, that is reason enough to seek support.

If you are in crisis or feel unable to cope, please contact your GP, call 111, or contact the Samaritans on 116 123.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Memory difficulties are one of the most common and distressing effects of cardiac arrest, and they are a normal consequence of how cardiac arrest affects the brain.

During cardiac arrest, the brain is deprived of oxygen. The hippocampus — the brain structure most important for forming and retaining new memories — is particularly vulnerable to oxygen deprivation. Even a relatively brief period of hypoxia can result in lasting changes to memory function.

Common memory difficulties after cardiac arrest include trouble retaining new information, forgetting things shortly after being told them, losing track of conversations, difficulty remembering names, and problems with prospective memory (remembering to do things). Some survivors also have a gap in memory around the time of the arrest itself — they have no recollection of collapsing or of their time in ICU. This memory gap is normal and is not the same as ongoing memory impairment.

The good news is that memory often improves significantly over the first year of recovery, as the brain heals and adapts. Strategies such as writing things down, using calendars and reminders, reducing cognitive load, and being patient with yourself can all help in the meantime.

If memory difficulties are significantly affecting your daily life or your ability to work, ask your GP for a referral to a neuropsychologist or cognitive rehabilitation service.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Fatigue is one of the most common and most underestimated effects of cardiac arrest. Many survivors find that they tire far more easily than before — sometimes feeling exhausted after activities that previously required no effort at all.

This fatigue has several causes. The brain and body undergo significant physiological stress during cardiac arrest and the subsequent period of intensive care. The brain in particular may have experienced a period of reduced oxygen (hypoxia), which requires significant energy to recover from. Heart function, medications, disturbed sleep, and the psychological impact of trauma can all contribute to fatigue.

Fatigue often improves over time, but it can be frustrating to live with, particularly in the early months of recovery. Some practical strategies that can help include pacing yourself — doing activities in shorter bursts with rest periods rather than pushing through — prioritising sleep, being honest with people around you about your energy levels, and gradually building activity levels with guidance from your cardiac rehabilitation team or physiotherapist.

If fatigue is significantly affecting your daily life, discuss it with your GP or cardiac team. An assessment of your heart function, anaemia, thyroid, and sleep quality may identify treatable contributing factors.

Category: Psychological Support

Recovery from cardiac arrest is highly individual, but most survivors experience recovery as a gradual process that continues for 12 months or more — not a single moment of being "better."

Physical recovery from the cardiac arrest itself and any procedures (such as ICD implantation) typically takes weeks. Cognitive recovery — improvements in memory, concentration, and mental fatigue — often continues over the first year, with many survivors noticing meaningful improvement month by month. Psychological recovery, including processing the trauma of the event and adjusting to life with an ICD, can take longer and is not always linear.

Factors that affect the pace and extent of recovery include how long the brain was without oxygen during the arrest, how quickly CPR and defibrillation were given, the underlying cause of the arrest, age and general health, and access to rehabilitation and psychological support.

It is important not to compare your recovery to someone else’s. Many survivors make an excellent recovery and return to work, exercise, and a full life. Others are left with lasting cognitive or physical effects that require longer-term support and adjustment. Both experiences are valid.

If you feel that your recovery is not progressing or that you are struggling with the psychological impact, talk to your GP or cardiac team. Cardiac rehabilitation, neuropsychological support, and talking therapies can all play a role.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Doctors use guidance published by the DVLA when assessing whether a patient is medically fit to drive following a cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, or ICD implantation. This guidance sets out recommended periods of driving restriction based on diagnosis and treatment, and distinguishes between Group 1 licences (cars and motorcycles) and Group 2 licences (lorries and buses, which have stricter requirements).

For most people following a cardiac arrest or ICD implantation, a period of driving restriction is mandatory. The length of restriction depends on factors including whether an ICD was fitted, whether the arrest was due to an identifiable and treatable cause, and whether there are ongoing arrhythmia concerns. Restrictions typically range from one month to up to two years for Group 2 licence holders in some circumstances.

The responsibility for notifying the DVLA of a relevant medical condition rests with you as the licence holder, not your doctor. Your cardiologist or GP can advise you on whether and when you need to notify the DVLA, but you must make the notification yourself. Driving before you are medically and legally permitted to do so can invalidate your insurance.

For full clinical guidance, see the DVLA’s published Assessing Fitness to Drive guidance for medical professionals. For patient-facing information about driving restrictions after SCA, see our dedicated driving FAQs.

Category: Implantable Devices

It is unlikely. Studies show that AEDs interpret the victim’s heart rhythm more quickly and accurately than many trained emergency professionals. If the AED determines that no shock is needed, it will not allow a shock to be given.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

AEDs are safe to use by anyone who has been shown how to use them.

The AED’s voice guides the rescuer through the steps involved in saving someone; for example, “apply pads to patient’s bare chest” (the pads themselves have pictures of where they should be placed) and “press red shock button.” Furthermore, safeguards have been designed into the unit precisely so that non-medical responders can’t use the AED to shock someone who doesn’t need a shock.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Use an AED on anyone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. If in doubt, use it. The AED will analyse the heart rhythm and will not allow a shock to be delivered unless one is actually needed. You cannot make the situation worse by using it.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

It doesn’t matter. Treating cardiac arrest is a high-stress situation, and even experienced healthcare providers do not do everything perfectly. Performing CPR and using an AED — however imperfectly — can only help. Imperfect action is always better than inaction.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

No. If you used an AED promptly and correctly, you did everything right. Unfortunately, not every person in cardiac arrest can be saved, even with fast and accurate treatment. Some underlying medical or cardiac conditions mean that ventricular fibrillation cannot always be corrected by defibrillation, regardless of how quickly it is delivered.

Acting quickly and using the AED gave that person the best possible chance. That matters, even when the outcome is not what you hoped for. If you are struggling with the experience, please talk to your GP or contact SCA UK for peer support.

Category: Defibrillators

The chest should be exposed to allow the placement of the disposable electrode pads. A woman’s bra should be removed. Clothes may need to be cut off.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

AEDs are extremely safe when used properly. The electric shock is designed to go from one electrode pad to another through the victim’s chest. Basic precautions, such as verbally warning others to stand clear and visually checking the area before and during the shock, can maximise the safety of rescuers.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

CPR provides some circulation of oxygen-rich blood to the victim’s heart and brain. This circulation delays both brain death and the death of heart muscle. CPR also makes the heart more likely to respond to defibrillation.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Start CPR immediately. Once the AED is present, apply the electrode pads to the victim’s bare chest, and follow the AED’s voice prompts and messages. It will tell you when to resume CPR.

Category: CPR

There is no specific legal requirement for employers to provide defibrillators in the workplace. The Health and Safety Executive’s syllabus of first aid training for offshore installations does include the use of defibrillators, but this is not extended to onshore first aid. However, the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 do not prevent an employer from providing defibrillators that could benefit both their employees and the public.

For information on workplace health and safety legislation please refer to the Health and Safety Executive’s website.

Category: Practical Issues

If you think an AED should be installed in your workplace, read the Guide to AEDs written by Resuscitation Council UK and the BHF as this will answer your questions in detail. If you wish to proceed, contact your local ambulance service for further advice as described in the Guide.

Category: Practical Issues

Yes. Whilst SCA in school-age children is rare, resuscitation attempts at schools are more likely to be made on an adult — a staff member or visitor — than a pupil. An AED on site provides potential benefit for everyone present, not just students.

Having a prominently located AED also means students become familiar with the equipment and can learn about resuscitation and defibrillation as part of first aid education — a benefit that extends well beyond the school gates.

Since September 2023, all state-funded schools in England have been required by law to have at least one AED on site. The Resuscitation Council UK guidance on defibrillators in schools provides detailed advice on placement, maintenance, and training. The Department for Education has also published guidance on AEDs in schools covering legal requirements and best practice.

Category: Defibrillators

Yes. Fortunately, cardiac arrest is rare in people who are pregnant, but if it were to occur it is quite appropriate to use an AED. The procedure is the same as in the non-pregnant but it is important to place the pads clear of enlarged breasts.

Category: Defibrillators

Yes. The incidence of shockable rhythms requiring defibrillation in children is very low but can occur. The priority must always be for high-quality CPR and getting expert help. However, the AED can be used across all age groups if this is the only available machine.

The paediatric advanced life support Guidelines 2015 state that if using an AED on a child of less than eight years, a paediatric attenuated shock energy should be used if possible. 

Experience with the use of AEDs (preferably with dose attenuator) in children younger than one year is limited. The use of an AED is acceptable if no other option is available as, on balance, it is probably better to give a 50 J shock than nothing at all. The upper safe limit for dosage in this group is unknown.

Category: Defibrillators

AEDs have been used by untrained people to save lives. Clear, spoken instructions and visual illustrations guide users through the process. Lack of training should not be a barrier to someone using one. If a person is in cardiac arrest, do not be afraid to use an AED.

Category: Defibrillators

Public Access Defibrillation describes the use of AEDs by members of the public. AEDs can now be found in many busy public places including airports, mainline railway stations, shopping centres, and gyms. They are meant to be used by members of the public if they witness a cardiac arrest.

Category: Defibrillators

AEDs are very reliable and will not allow a shock to be given unless it is needed. They are extremely unlikely to do any harm to a person who has collapsed in suspected Sudden Cardiac Arrest. They are safe to use and present minimal risk to the rescuer. These features make them suitable for use by members of the public with little or no training).

Category: Defibrillators

Resuscitation Council UK and British Heart Foundation have written a Guide to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) which gives full information about the use of AEDs in the community. We urge you to read this as it will answer your questions in more detail.

Category: Defibrillators

Fortunately, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in childhood is a rare event. Studies of OHCA in children and adolescents (excluding infants under one year old) report an incidence between 3 and 9 per 100,000 per year. The rates reported in infants are generally much higher (between 11 and 72 per 100,000 infants per year). The cause in this latter group is often attributed to the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The incidence of cardiac arrest from a primarily cardiac cause (which includes cases referred to as “sudden cardiac arrest” or SCA) has been reported to be 2 – 3 per 100,000 per year in children and adolescents. SCA is more common in boys than girls, and more likely to occur during or just after sporting activity. 

Warning symptoms for future SCA may include previous episodes of collapse or near-collapse, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath or unexplained episodes of brief seizure-like activity. Such symptoms may not always be present, however, and can be difficult to interpret in the setting of sporting activity, where those participating may often be pushing themselves to the point of exhaustion. A family history of cardiovascular disease and unexplained death at a young age may also be highly relevant.

Survival rates of 1.9 – 11.1% following attempted resuscitation have been reported, with good neurological outcomes in many. Survival is more likely with witnessed events and a shockable rhythm on first ECG analysis – conditions often seen when an arrest occurs in a public location, like a school.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

The core principles of CPR – ventilation to provide breathing and chest compressions to support the circulation – apply equally to children and adults.

Many children do not receive CPR because potential rescuers are not sure if there are specific methods recommended for children, and are afraid of causing harm. This fear is unfounded; it is far better to use the adult CPR sequence for the resuscitation of a child than to do nothing. When performing chest compressions, compress the child’s chest by 1/3 to 1/2 of its depth – don’t be afraid to push hard.

Although slightly different techniques are taught to those people (particularly healthcare workers) who have special responsibilities for the care of children, the differences are not crucial, and it is far more important to do something using the techniques you have been taught.

Category: CPR

It is very unlikely that someone in the UK who acted in good faith when trying to help another person would be held legally liable for an adverse outcome. No such action has ever been brought against someone who performed CPR and, in general, the courts in the UK look favourably on those who go to the assistance of others.

Resuscitation Council UK has published detailed guidance on the legal status of those who attempt resuscitation. This provides answers to most of the commonly asked questions on the subject.

Category: Practical Issues

In the UK fewer than 10% of all the people in whom a resuscitation attempt is made outside the hospital survive. Improving this figure is a major priority for Resuscitation Council UK, the Department of Health and Social Care, ambulance services and first aid organisations.

When all the stages in the Chain of Survival take place promptly, the figures are very much better. This is possible where the arrest is recognised immediately, bystanders perform CPR, and an automated defibrillator is used before the ambulance service arrive. Survival rates in excess of 50% have been reported under these circumstances.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

When the heart is restarted after a cardiac arrest, recovery is not immediate. Admission to the hospital is always required for further treatment and investigation to establish the cause. Provided good CPR has been performed while the heart has stopped and defibrillation has been carried out promptly, the outlook is promising with most patients making a good recovery.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Compression-only CPR describes the performance of uninterrupted chest compressions without rescue breathing. In many adults who suffer a cardiac arrest, the heart stops abruptly; breathing will have been normal (or nearly normal), so the blood should be well oxygenated. In this situation, compression-only CPR may be effective for the first few minutes after the heart stops. This may provide time for the emergency services to arrive or an AED to be collected. Ultimately the oxygen will be used up and rescue breaths are required to give the victim the best chance of resuscitation.

Where a cardiac arrest is caused by lack of oxygen (as in drowning and most arrests that occur in children) compression-only CPR will be much less effective.

Chest compression alternating with rescue breaths is the ideal first aid procedure, but for untrained bystanders or those unwilling to give rescue breaths, compression-only CPR (hands only) is a useful alternative.

Category: CPR

If bystanders who witness a cardiac arrest perform CPR, sufficient blood containing oxygen will reach the brain, heart and other organs to keep the person alive for several minutes. CPR by itself will not restart the heart, but it ‘buys time’ for the emergency medical services to reach the scene. Effective CPR more than doubles the chance of someone surviving a cardiac arrest.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Yes, it is safe to defibrillate a victim who is lying on a metallic or wet surface. If the self-adhesive pads are applied correctly and provided there is no direct contact between the user and the victim when the shock is delivered, there is no direct pathway that electricity could take that would cause the user to experience shock. 

If the victim is wet, their chest should be dried so that the self-adhesive AED pads will stick properly. As with any attempt at defibrillation, particular care should be taken to ensure that no one is touching the victim when a shock is delivered.

Category: Defibrillators

Some survivors of cardiac arrest experience medical problems, including impaired consciousness and cognitive deficits. Functional recovery continues over the first six to 12 months after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in adults. It is common for survivors to have memory loss and to experience depression and anxiety for some time after their event.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Most people who survive a cardiac arrest can return to their previous level of functioning, though the timeline varies and recovery often continues for a year or more. Cognitive and psychological recovery commonly takes longer than physical recovery.

All survivors need ongoing follow-up care with a cardiologist or electrophysiologist. This typically includes regular device checks if an ICD has been fitted, review of any medication, and assessment of how recovery is progressing. Cardiac rehabilitation is also recommended and has good evidence for improving outcomes.

Category: Recovery

Also known as Targeted Temperature Management (TTM). Following cardiac arrest, some patients who remain unconscious after successful resuscitation may be treated with controlled cooling, in which the body temperature is lowered to 32–36ºC. This reduces the brain’s oxygen requirements, decreases swelling, and limits the release of substances that can cause cell death, helping to protect the brain and other organs during recovery.

Targeted temperature management is supported by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and ILCOR guidelines and is a standard component of post-resuscitation care in many UK ICUs. The specific temperature target is determined by the clinical team based on the individual patient’s condition.

TTM has been shown to improve neurological outcomes and survival in patients who remain in a coma after cardiac arrest.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Fewer than one in ten people whose cardiac arrest is treated by the ambulance service survive to hospital discharge. However, there are large regional variations in survival, which are largely due to bystander intervention with CPR and defibrillation. When bystanders perform CPR, survival rates can triple. When bystanders perform CPR and use an AED, survival rates in some settings can be as high as 50%.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

No. In the UK, it is very unlikely that someone who acted in good faith when trying to help a person in cardiac arrest would face any legal liability. No action has ever been successfully brought against a bystander who performed CPR in the UK. The courts look favourably on those who go to the assistance of others in an emergency, and performing CPR on someone in cardiac arrest cannot make their situation worse. If you are concerned, the important thing is simply to act — calling 999, starting CPR, and using a defibrillator if one is available. For specific legal questions, the Resuscitation Council UK provides further guidance.

Category: Practical Issues

People who are at risk for SCA may want to consider having an AED at home. Regardless of known risk, since seven out of 10 SCAs occur at home, placing these devices in homes could save many lives.

Category: Defibrillators

No. CPR and an AED work together and neither replaces the other. They do different jobs at different stages of the resuscitation process.

CPR keeps oxygenated blood circulating to the brain and heart while the heart is not beating. It does not restart the heart, but it delays the onset of irreversible brain damage and keeps the heart muscle responsive to defibrillation. Without CPR, the window in which an AED can work effectively narrows quickly.

An AED delivers an electrical shock to reset the heart’s rhythm when it is in ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. This is what CPR alone cannot do. The shock is what restores a normal heartbeat.

The correct sequence is: call 999, start CPR immediately, apply the AED as soon as it arrives, follow the AED’s instructions, and resume CPR straight after each shock analysis. Do not stop CPR while waiting for an AED, and do not stop using the AED once it arrives.

Category: CPR

The defibrillators used by paramedics on ambulances, in hospital settings, and the ones you typically see on TV are manual defibrillators. They are larger than AEDs, require interpretation of the heart rhythm by a trained operator, and must be charged and discharged manually.

AEDs are smaller, computerised devices designed for use by any bystander. They analyse the heart rhythm automatically, decide whether a shock is needed, and guide the user through every step with audio and visual prompts. They will not deliver a shock unless one is required.

Category: Defibrillators

Good locations for AED placement include police vehicles, airports, railway and bus stations, sports venues, GP surgeries and dental practices, health clinics, gyms, shopping centres, supermarkets, theatres, workplaces, schools, places of worship, and community centres. In the UK, AED locations can be found using The Circuit — the national defibrillator network (thecircuit.org.uk) — and through many local ambulance service mapping tools. The British Heart Foundation and St John Ambulance also provide guidance on siting and registering AEDs. Since the majority of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the home, some people at high risk may also consider purchasing an AED for home use.

Category: Defibrillators

AEDs are designed to treat victims in SCA with an irregular heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). AEDs work best in these victims if they are used quickly and if the victim has received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Category: Defibrillators

If the victim has an implantable pacemaker or defibrillator with a battery pack (visible as a lump under the skin), avoid placing the pad directly on top of the implanted medical device.

Category: Defibrillators

Never place AED electrode pads directly on top of medication patches. If the patch is in the way of the AED pads, remove it and wipe off the area with the victim’s shirt. Do not touch the patch with bare skin. Then apply the pads to the clean, bare skin.

Category: Defibrillators

If the victim is wearing a bra, remove it before placing electrode pads.

Category: Defibrillators

Yes. An AED can be used safely on someone lying on a metal surface such as stadium seating, a metal bench, or a stretcher. The key requirement is that the self-adhesive electrode pads must not be in direct contact with the metal surface itself. As long as the pads are correctly placed on the person’s bare chest, there is no pathway for electricity to pass to the metal beneath them.

Category: Defibrillators

No, not if you use it properly. The electric shock is programmed to go from one pad to the other through the victim’s chest. Basic precautions, such as not touching the victim during the shock, ensure the safety of rescuers and bystanders.

Category: Defibrillators

No. Most SCA victims will die if they are not treated immediately. Your actions can only help. AEDs are designed in such a way that they will only shock victims who need to be shocked.

Category: Defibrillators

An AED is designed for use by any bystander, regardless of training. The AED uses voice and visual prompts to advise the user how to apply electrode pads and whether or not to administer a shock. Some devices shock automatically if the victim has a fatal heart rhythm. Training is recommended since many victims also need CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Category: Defibrillators

A computer inside the AED analyzes the victim’s heart rhythm. The device determines whether a shock is needed. Some devices shock the victim automatically if a shock is needed. Other devices require that the operator press a button to deliver the shock. The shock is delivered through pads applied to the victim’s bare chest. The shock stuns the heart, stopping abnormal heart activity and allowing a normal heart rhythm to resume.

Category: Implantable Devices

An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a device that automatically analyzes heart rhythms and advises the operator to deliver a shock if the heart is in a fatal heart rhythm. It is designed for use by untrained bystanders. AEDs are safe and cannot hurt the victim.

Category: Defibrillators

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is an emergency procedure used when someone’s heart has stopped beating, to keep oxygenated blood circulating to the brain and vital organs until the heart can be restarted — either by a defibrillator or by the heart resuming on its own.

CPR combines two elements: chest compressions, which manually pump the heart, and rescue breaths, which deliver oxygen to the lungs. For bystanders without training, hands-only CPR — chest compressions alone — is recommended by Resuscitation Council UK and is just as effective for the first few minutes after a cardiac arrest.

To perform hands-only CPR:

1. Call 999 immediately. The dispatcher will guide you through CPR if you are unsure.
2. Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the person’s chest (on the lower half of the breastbone). Place your other hand on top and interlock your fingers.
3. Press down hard and fast — aim for a depth of 5–6cm and a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. The Resuscitation Council UK suggests the rhythm of the song Stayin’ Alive as a guide to rate.
4. Keep going without stopping until the ambulance arrives or an AED is ready to use.

Even imperfect CPR is far better than no CPR at all.

Category: CPR

SCA is treatable in most cases — especially when it is caused by ventricular fibrillation — as long as treatment is given quickly. Treatment requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. This must begin immediately to be effective, ideally within three to five minutes of collapse. Even the fastest ambulance response may not arrive in time. That is why prompt action by bystanders is critical, and why learning CPR and how to use an AED can save lives.

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, suspect cardiac arrest and act immediately: call 999, start CPR, and use a nearby AED if one is available. The dispatcher will guide you through CPR if you are unsure. When cardiac arrest occurs, the person is clinically dead, but prompt bystander action can restore life.

Once the ambulance service arrives, paramedics will continue resuscitation and provide advanced cardiac life support. Patients who remain in a coma after successful resuscitation may be treated with targeted temperature management (controlled cooling) to protect the brain. All survivors of cardiac arrest should be reviewed by a cardiologist or cardiac electrophysiologist for follow-up assessment and treatment.

Category: Defibrillators

A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is prescribed for patients at risk of SCA. It consists of a garment, an electrode belt, and a monitor. While some defibrillator devices are implanted under the skin, the wearable defibrillator is worn under the clothes, directly against the patient’s skin.

Category: Implantable Devices

Living a healthy lifestyle — exercising regularly, eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking — can help reduce the risk of SCA. Monitoring and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes is also important. If there is a family history of SCA or an inherited heart condition, it is important to speak to your GP and ask for a referral to a cardiologist or cardiac electrophysiologist. If abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are detected, they can be treated through implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy, medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, or catheter ablation. Some patients, particularly those who have had a previous heart attack or are awaiting assessment for a permanent ICD, may benefit from a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD).

Category: Cardiac Arrest

While there are a number of possible causes, three are particularly common in the UK. The first is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic heart muscle condition in which the walls of the heart’s left ventricle become abnormally thickened. This can obstruct blood flow from the heart, causing loss of consciousness and a dangerous arrhythmia leading to cardiac arrest. The second is Long QT Syndrome, an often-unrecognised inherited condition affecting the heart’s electrical system that can predispose young people to life-threatening arrhythmias. Episodes are most commonly triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress. The third is commotio cordis, an electrical disturbance triggered by a sharp blow to the chest at a critical moment in the heart’s cycle. It can occur in contact sports such as football, cricket, rugby, and martial arts, as well as any situation involving a forceful blow to the chest.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

No. This is one of the most important and least understood facts about sudden cardiac arrest. In many cases, SCA is the first indication that anything is wrong with the heart at all. The person may have had no previous cardiac diagnosis, no symptoms, and no reason to believe they were at risk.

This matters because it changes how we think about prevention and response. Waiting for someone to show signs of heart disease before taking SCA seriously is not enough. Around 80 per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK are witnessed by a bystander, most of whom have no medical training. The single most important thing any bystander can do is start CPR immediately and use a defibrillator as quickly as possible, regardless of whether the person has a known heart condition.

Some underlying conditions do significantly raise the risk of SCA, including inherited cardiac conditions such as HCM, Long QT Syndrome, and Brugada Syndrome, many of which go undiagnosed for years. This is one of the reasons family screening after a cardiac arrest is so important.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Ejection fraction (EF) refers to how well the heart is pumping. It’s the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the heart’s main pumping chamber during each heartbeat. If the EF is low (35% or lower), the person is at increased risk for sudden cardiac death. It is important to know that the EF can change over time.

Category: Implantable Devices

Risk factors for SCA include:

Low ejection fraction or weak heart muscle
Prior heart attack
Heart failure
Abnormal heart rate or heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
Family history of arrhythmia
Family history of sudden cardiac death
Congenital heart defects
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a thickened heart muscle that especially affects the ventricles)
Viral infection in the heart
History of syncope (fainting)
Coronary artery disease (CAD) and risk factors for CAD, including smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle
Significant changes in blood levels of potassium and magnesium (e.g., from using diuretics)
Recreational drug use.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

In the UK, around 70 per cent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the home, most commonly in front of a family member or someone who knows the person. Public locations such as streets, workplaces, sports venues, and shops account for most of the remainder, with a smaller proportion occurring in care homes and other residential settings.

This pattern has important implications for how we think about bystander response. Because most cardiac arrests happen at home, the people most likely to witness one are family members, partners, and friends rather than trained first responders. Learning CPR and knowing where your nearest defibrillator is matters for everyone, not just those who work in public-facing roles.

It also means that people with a known cardiac condition, and their households, have a particular reason to consider having a home AED and ensuring that those around them know how to use it. Around 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are attended by ambulance services in England each year, and survival rates are significantly higher when bystander CPR begins before the ambulance arrives.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

No. While the average age of a cardiac arrest victim is around 60, SCA affects people of all ages — including children and teenagers. In the UK, around 270 children and young people under 35 die from sudden cardiac arrest each year, many due to undiagnosed inherited heart conditions. SCA can be the first sign that anything is wrong.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is one of the leading causes of death in the UK, accounting for around 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year in England alone. Unfortunately, fewer than one in ten people who have a cardiac arrest outside hospital survive to be discharged home. Survival rates improve dramatically when bystanders act quickly — calling 999, starting CPR immediately, and using a nearby defibrillator.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Usually, the first sign of SCA is loss of consciousness (fainting). Typically, the person collapses and doesn’t respond or breathe normally. They may gasp or shake as if having a seizure.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

SCA can result from cardiac causes (abnormalities of the heart muscle or the heart’s electrical system), external causes (drowning, trauma, asphyxia, electrocution, drug overdose, blows to the chest), and other medical causes such as inflammation of the heart muscle due to infection. Most SCAs are caused by an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). The most common life-threatening arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation, which is an erratic, disorganized firing of impulses from the ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers). When this occurs, the heart is unable to pump blood and death will occur within minutes if left untreated. Heart attacks can also lead to SCA.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. It strikes people of all ages who may seem to be healthy, even children and teens. When SCA happens, the person collapses and doesn’t respond or breathe normally. They may gasp or shake as if having a seizure. SCA leads to death in minutes if the person does not get help right away. Survival depends on calling for professional help, starting CPR, and using an AED as soon as possible.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

The easiest way to find your nearest publicly accessible defibrillator is through The Circuit — the national defibrillator network operated by the British Heart Foundation on behalf of the NHS. The Circuit maps registered AEDs across the UK and is accessible online or via the NHS app.

When you call 999 about a cardiac arrest, the dispatcher can also tell you the location of the nearest registered defibrillator and guide someone to collect it while CPR is in progress.

You can also visit our defibrillator maps page, which lists additional national and local mapping resources.

Category: Defibrillators

There are three types of heart block. Heart block is a condition where the electrical impulses travelling from the upper chambers (atria) to the lower chambers (ventricles) are either: delayed (first degree), intermittently blocked (second degree), or completely blocked (third degree, also called complete heart block). First degree is usually harmless and requires no treatment. Second degree may require monitoring or a pacemaker depending on the type and symptoms. Third degree almost always requires a permanent pacemaker.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Inversion tables will not interfere with your ICD, but check with your doctor in case there are any medical concerns.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

A heart attack is a plumbing problem. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is an electrical problem.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

Most likely, yes. ICDs have been proven to terminate 98% of potentially life-threatening arrhythmias.

Category: Implantable Devices

Electrophysiologists (EPs) specialize in treating electrical disorders in the heart. ICDs and CRT-Ds monitor and treat certain electrical problems in the heart. Many EPs perform implant procedures and conduct follow-up device checks for patients with heart devices.

Category: Cardiac Arrest

A common cause of a cardiac arrest is a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF).

VF happens when the electrical activity of the heart becomes so chaotic that the heart stops pumping, Instead, it quivers or ‘fibrillates’.

The main causes of cardiac arrest related to the heart are:

• a heart attack (caused by coronary heart disease)
• cardiomyopathy and some inherited heart conditions
• congenital heart disease
• heart valve disease
• acute myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).

Some other causes of cardiac arrest include:

• electrocution
• a drug overdose
• a severe haemorrhage (known as a hypovolaemic shock) – losing a large amount of blood
• hypoxia – caused by a severe drop in oxygen levels

Sometimes it is not possible to diagnose the cause of the problem and these are known as “idiopathic” – unknown cause.

Category: Cardiac Arrest