Test your risk of a sudden cardiac arrest

[Minnesota51]

Many of us are older and we wonder about our risk of having a sudden cardiac arrest while driving.

Here is a test from the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Society that you can quickly take online that may ease your mind.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risk Assessment Tool


And here is more information about the different between a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and an typical heart attack.

https://www.hrsonline.org/Patient-Re...iac-Arrest-SCA

[MSHappyCampers]

Thanks for sharing that! It says my risk is low!

[CountryB]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Thanks for sharing that! It says my risk is low!

That's great - but my test says "medium risk"! What! Can't be. I want a recount.

Okay retook test - now I'm "low risk".
Apparently the question about being moderately overweight is significant in the test outcome.

[plasma800]

I tried it and at the end it just took me back to the starting page with no result. I must already be dead...

But boy would I love to shake 15 lbs off...

[Minnesota51]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Thanks for sharing that! It says my risk is low!

That is great to hear. Glad your mind is eased.

Many happy journeys to you!

[baraff]

This test doesn't take into account certain factors. Such as, diagnosed with High Blood Pressure, but treated with medication and therefore, presumably not a problem.
How does one answer that?

[Minnesota51]

Originally Posted by baraff

This test doesn't take into account certain factors. Such as, diagnosed with High Blood Pressure, but treated with medication and therefore, presumably not a problem.
How does one answer that?

I thought about that as well. I would hope having treated it reduces the risk. I would simply ask your doctor.

You can also look up sudden cardiac arrest risk factors at the Mayo Clinic website.

[Searching_Ut]

My test said high risk, which unfortunately is the same as what my cardiologist said. After having my heart issues earlier this year, my wife insisted we get an AED before we could go camping in remote areas. For anyone interested the prices you see posted on the web are manufactures minimums they can advertise at. We found by contacting the company they were willing to sell the AEDs for about $500 less than what it’s advertised at on the web page, in our case calling it a military discount.

[G.G.]

To the question of having high blood pressure but on medication - how to answer?
Wouldn't the answer be no since the purpose of medication is that you now do not
have high blood pressure (as long as you take your med)? Just a thought.

[Minnesota51]

Originally Posted by Searching_Ut

My test said high risk, which unfortunately is the same as what my cardiologist said. After having my heart issues earlier this year, my wife insisted we get an AED before we could go camping in remote areas. For anyone interested the prices you see posted on the web are manufactures minimums they can advertise at. We found by contacting the company they were willing to sell the AEDs for about $500 less than what it’s advertised at on the web page, in our case calling it a military discount.

So driving in the mountains is a particular problem. What did your cardiologist say about driving in general? Does your wife do the driving then? Would make sense. Hope all goes well. Stay safe.

[Minnesota51]

Originally Posted by G.G.

To the question of having high blood pressure but on medication - how to answer?
Wouldn't the answer be no since the purpose of medication is that you now do not
have high blood pressure (as long as you take your med)? Just a thought.

I am not sure, because as I understand it, high blood pressure over time damages the artery walls and can create plaques that could rupture and cause a heart attack. That damage might be there for some time even if the pressure is brought down. So risk might remain higher.

As always, have to ask a cardiologist for his or her opinion on that.

[bam565]

Suffered one in 2004. Was working out, felt weakness in my shoulder. I went home and denied it for 20-30 min.. Drove to the ER and dropped dead(Coded x2)in the waiting room. Lived to tell the story. It was a plaque tear, blocked a main cardiac artery. Ended up with a stent and a very expensive helo ride. The ER attending Doc was amazed that I woke up the next morning.

[followingsea]

More BS from the fear mongering portion of the medical industry.

Risk is meaningless unless a number can be put on it. The risk of dying is 1.

Second, talking about risk is meaningless unless there is something you can do about it.

The risk of death in a MH accident is actually lower that other types of driving. While that sound counter intuitive, I suspect it is because in general we are older and compensate for the risk by driving slower.

The reason I am at higher risk is I have low risk factors for other things.

I often sail alone with few other boats around. I accept the risk because I enjoy it.

At some point in my life I started taking blood pressure medicine along with two other medicines. Long term studies showed that one of the medicines was not effective. I asked my doctor. He said keep taking it. I asked again on myh next visit. He said to stop taking it because it had side effects.

It is about enjoying life. My wife recently passed in her sleep in the MH. The two night before we sat around the campfire with old friends. Before leaving on this trip she saw her doctors and had a stress test.

Dying a slow painful death gives all time to prepare. When happens suddenly, we are not prepared for the loss.

[okmunky]

I happen to believe in destiny. When we are born we are given a certain number of days in this existence. I'll die when my number of days has been used up. It might be a heart problem, it might be a meteorite that crushes me.

What's more important to me is my quality of life. I try to stay healthy so that I can enjoy every single of those days I have left. I get fixed those things in my body that can be fixed, cataract surgery for my eyes, knee replacements, etc. I take vitamins because I think they make me feel better. I try to surround myself with happy people and and smile more than frown. Life is precious!