Final answer:
Sudden cardiac arrest can result from an artery blocked by plaque, scar tissue from a previous heart attack, or an accelerated heart rate. The condition is closely associated with coronary artery disease, which can lead to myocardial infarction. Therefore, the answer is D. all of the above.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sudden cardiac arrest can result from:
An artery blocked with plaque.
Scar tissue from a previous heart attack.
Accelerated heart rate.
Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death worldwide and involves the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can obstruct blood flow and lead to ischemia.
A blockage in the coronary artery stops oxygen from reaching parts of the heart muscle, resulting in areas that are starved of oxygen. If cardiac muscle is deprived of oxygen for an extended period, it will die and cannot be replaced. These dead cells may then lead to a heart attack, heart arrhythmias, heart failure, or cardiac arrest.
In the event of a plaque rupture, platelets may form a clot that can further block the artery and cause a sudden heart attack or stroke. This undertreated buildup of plaque could lead to a myocardial infarction, which can also result in death or lead to heart arrhythmias, heart failure, or cardiac arrest. Hence, the correct answer to the question is D. all of the above.