Making Sudden Cardiac Arrest a National Health Priority: National Medical Association Issues White Paper on Sudden Card...( ATLANTA Aug. 7 -- To help change...),Health

ATLANTA, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To help change the prevention and treatment paradigm for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the National Medical Association (NMA) released a white paper during their 2008 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly that outlines directives for elevating SCA to a national health priority and bringing it to the forefront of the policy discussion. This white paper, Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Advancing Awareness and Bridging Gaps to Improve Survival, is based on input from more than 50 of the nation's leading cardiac care professionals, government officials and patient advocates during the 2008 SCA Leadership Conference held in April by the NMA.

SCA claims more than 300,000 lives every year -- nearly 1,000 people each day. It is estimated that 95 percent of SCA victims die before reaching a hospital or emergency help, even though nearly 75 percent show signs of a previous heart attack and 80 percent show signs of coronary artery disease.

Dr. Nelson Adams, NMA Immediate Past-President and program chair said, "sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States. Particularly alarming is that it disproportionately affects African-Americans."

"Disparities in care for patients that are at risk for SCA, as indicated in the rates found among African American women are unacceptable," said newly elected NMA President, Carolyn Barley-Britton, MD.

Thought leaders who contributed to the white paper agreed that a successful change in SCA health outcomes requires continual involvement from community and health leaders, and the vital next step is implementation of programs and policies that will positively impact health outcomes. The white paper's "call to action" summarizes important next steps to make SCA a national health priority, and includes:

-- Developing clinical performance measures for SCA prevention

-- Raising awareness of SCA among consumers and healthcare professionals