Surviving Cardiac Arrest: You’re More Likely To Live If You’re At The Gym

Surviving Cardiac Arrest: You’re More Likely To Live If You’re At The Gym

A new report published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows that people who have sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) at a fitness facility could be more likely to survive than people who experience sudden cardiac arrest in banks, restaurants, or other indoor facilities.

The researchers reviewed 849 sudden cardiac arrest cases between 1996 and 2008 at various fitness and public indoor facilities in Seattle and King County, Washington. The exercise facilities were categorized into two groups: traditional (health clubs and fitness centers) and alternative (workplace or hotel gyms, dance studios). There was also a category for non-exercise facilities, such as banks, restaurants, and shopping centers.

The researchers found that out of the 849 cardiac arrest cases, 52 occurred at traditional exercise facilities, and 56 percent of the individuals survived. Meanwhile, 84 occurred at alternative exercise facilities, holding a survival rate of 45 percent, and 713 occurred at various public places, with a 34-percent survival rate.

Interestingly, 20.5 percent of the sudden cardiac arrest cases occurred when people were playing basketball, 8.9 percent on the treadmill, and 4.5 percent during swimming.

 

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