Prevention efforts for cardiac arrest are either primary, in which physicians try to identify people who are at specific risk of sudden cardiac death, or secondary, in which the underlying heart disease that usually causes of cardiac arrest is addressed. To reduce their risk of heart disease and cardiac arrest, people are encouraged to take the following steps:

• Learn your family medical history. A patient’s family medical history can greatly increase (or decrease) the risk of the patient developing certain medical conditions that could lead to cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death. In addition, studies have indicated that a family history of sudden cardiac death increases the risk for an individual.  Some patients prefer to develop their own medical family tree and bring it with them to their doctor appointment. A complete family tree traces the medical history of an individual (and his or her spouse, if applicable), through at least several generations.
  
  
• Eating a heart-healthy diet. Modern research has consistently supported the idea that the health of people’s bodies is largely determined by what they choose to eat. Certain vitamins and minerals have been shown to be helpful to heart health. However, certain fats and oils, such as saturated fat and tropical oils (palm and coconut oil), have been shown to be particularly harmful because they can speed up the development of coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and obesity.
  
  
• Reducing cholesterol levels. A person’s total cholesterol level (which includes LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) should be no more than 200 milligrams per deciliter and their cholesterol ratio should be no more than 5:1, or total cholesterol more than five times their HDL level. Key strategies for reducing levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are to eat a heart-healthy diet and exercise regularly. If these strategies do not reduce cholesterol levels, a physician may prescribe cholesterol-reducing drugs.
  
  
• Controlling homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced as a byproduct of internal chemical reactions. High homocysteine levels have been linked to damage of the arteries, which may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problems. Researchers are currently trying to determine whether high homocysteine levels are an actual cause of those conditions, or are simply associated with them for some other reason. The American Heart Association recommends testing homocysteine blood levels in patients with known risk factors for heart disease (e.g., a family history of heart disease). Homocysteine can be kept at moderate, healthy levels if the body has adequate levels of three important B-vitamins: vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folic acid (the synthetic and more easily absorbed version of folate). Therefore people are encouraged to make sure they get enough B-vitamins every day.
  
  
• Exercising regularly. Exercise can be an excellent tool in the both prevention of heart disease and improving quality of life for heart patients. Physically, it can slow or even reverse the process of atherosclerosis, as well as lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. Emotionally, it can reduce levels of stress and depression.
  
  
• Controlling high blood pressure (hypertension). Individuals with high blood pressure are at greater risk of cardiovascular problems that could lead to cardiac arrest. Hypertension can be controlled through regular blood pressure monitoring and diet/medication therapies, under the care of a physician.
  
  
• Stress management. Stress can lead to high-risk practices such as overeating, smoking, high blood pressure and a lack of exercise. In addition, chronic stress may be a direct contributor to poor health because it produces increases in blood pressure that could become permanent.
  
  
• Quitting smoking (or not starting to smoke). Tobacco smoking is a major contributor to coronary artery disease, cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. A 1990 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows heart disease as the leading smoking-related cause of death in the United States among men and women. The CDC also suggests that the average smoker dies nearly seven years before a nonsmoker.
  
  
• Controlling diabetes. People with diabetes may be more likely to develop heart-related diseases that could lead to cardiac arrest. Preventative care is crucial to the overall health and heart function of diabetic patients.
  
  
• Controlling weight. Obesity and being overweight are major risk factors for a host of serious health conditions that could lead to cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death. Some weight control methods include limiting fat in a patient’s diet, increasing activity levels, counseling, medication and surgical interventions.
  
  
• Controlling chronic depression. Depression has been linked with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease and having a heart attack.

These strategies may help preserve health and prolong life. Even someone who already has heart disease or has had a heart attack can reduce the risk of further problems by making these lifestyle changes. In addition to these preventive techniques, treatments of underlying conditions that could trigger cardiac arrest include taking medications that help to control the heart’s rhythm (antiarrhythmics).

Also, minimally invasive techniques (e.g., cardiac catheterization) or surgery may be used. For example, people may have a surgery in which a device such as an artificial pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is implanted in the chest to monitor and, if needed, correct the heart’s rhythm. A recent study showed that ICDs lowered the risk of death by 23 percent in patients with heart failure. An ICD monitors the heart and delivers an electrical charge when a dangerous arrhythmia is detected. Heart failure patients are at increased risk of cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. The device may be implanted for secondary prevention (patients who survived  cardiac death) or primary prevention (patients at risk of cardiac arrest such as those with cardiomyopathy, sustained ventricular tachycardia, syncope.)

Pacemakers are indicated to prevent cardiac arrest in patients with bradycardia and severe disease of the heart conductive system.