ARVC: What you need to know

Following a number of famous cases in recent years, such as England Cricket star James Taylor and Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) has been thrust into the spotlight, but what exactly is it?

What is Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)?

ARVC is a rare genetic heart disease which is cause by genetic defects of the muscles in the heart. The genetic defects are caused by a mutation in one or more genes and the result is ARVC, which often worsens over time and is usually diagnosed later on in life. Unfortunately ARVC is only sometimes detectable through a post mortem. The condition is one of five different forms of cardiomyopathy and occurs in the right ventricle when some of the hear muscle is replaced by fibrous rissue and fat. This stops the hear from pumping blood properly around the body.

ARVC often goes undiagnosed and unnoticed by the person until it is too late. If someone is diagnosed with ARVC they will be fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) also known as an internal defibrillator. This device will then track heart rates and delivers an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat if it detects an abnormal rhythm. If you are concerned about ARVC or any other heart problems, we recommend that you see your GP to get reviewed.

Choose Defib Machines to supply your defibrillator

When ARVC goes undiagnosed the person could go into cardiac arrest suddenly and without warning, know as Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). When a cardiac arrest occurs a defibrillator is the only way to restart the heart. Defibrillators should always be accessible within two minutes to allow for a shock to be provided within five minutes to provide the best chance of survival. Need an answer to the question: how much does a defibrillator cost?

To find out more about how Defib Machines can provide an automatic debrillatory that can save a person’s life from Cardiac Arrest, or to enquire about our all inclusive defibrillator packages, you can contact us online or call a member of the team direct on 0800 0852 733 to get more information.