Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Malaysia: A Silent Killer That Strikes Without Warning

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is one of the leading causes of unexpected deaths in Malaysia — and many are still unaware of its severity. According to the Ministry of Health Malaysia, an estimated 20,000 Malaysians suffer from sudden cardiac arrest every year, with less than 5% surviving due to delayed medical response and lack of immediate action.

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

SCA is a condition where the heart suddenly stops beating due to an electrical malfunction. Unlike a heart attack (which is caused by a blockage), SCA happens without warning and causes the victim to collapse and lose consciousness almost instantly.

If not treated within the first 4–6 minutes, brain damage or death is likely to occur.