Surprising Fact: 40% of Sudden Cardiac Arrests Involve Women; Expert Advice on Medication Use for Women with Mental Health Concerns

Every year, approximately 350,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, with almost 90 percent of cases resulting in fatality. Surprisingly, 40 percent of these incidents involve women. Nancy Dagefoerde, an advanced practice nurse at OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute, explains that sudden cardiac arrest can occur in any adult, particularly those aged 30 and older. Factors such as risk factors, family history, and heart defects can contribute to the likelihood of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. This condition results from an irregular heartbeat, known as an arrhythmia, which causes the heart to stop beating or lose electrical activity, leading to a lack of breathing and pulse in the affected individual.

Dagefoerde distinguishes between sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack, clarifying that a heart attack results from a blockage in the coronary artery surrounding the heart. While there is still stigma surrounding mental health, people are increasingly seeking treatment for such issues. Sarah Shoemaker, a certified nurse midwife at OSF HealthCare, advises women to discuss their concerns about continuing medications like Zoloft or Prozac with their healthcare provider early on. Shoemaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining stability and health for women who have found the right combination of medications and encourages them to avoid disrupting this regimen whenever possible.

For women considering pregnancy, concerns may arise about continuing medications like Zoloft or Prozac. In such situations