Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death: Beyond Automated External Defibrillators and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

“The highest incidence of SCD is in high-risk groups, such as patients with heart failure and a prior myocardial infarction (MI). But the absolute number of SCD is highest in the general population (people who do not appear to be at an increased risk of SCD). It has been shown that for some people who end up with SCD, there were symptoms that they ignored. So, we need to intensify efforts to raise awareness without creating anxiety, and then of course, efforts should focus on rapid detection of SCA and increased access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), including making sure people know how to use AEDs and are not afraid to use them.”