…you may be at risk for a serious heart condition called sudden cardiac death (SCD). Do you know the answer to these five questions? If not, ask your doctor to test your risk.

Print this list of questions and ask your doctor about your risk for Sudden Cardiac Death.

1. Did your heart attack affect your heart's normal rhythm?

A heart attack damages the heart muscle and it can cause abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). It may feel like your heart is racing, or beating out of rhythm. There may be no symptoms. But some arrhythmias can be life-threatening and cause sudden cardiac death.

2. What's your Ejection Fraction (EF)?

Your ejection fraction is the proportion, or fraction, of blood pumped out of your heart with each beat. A normal EF is 55 percent or higher. Your doctor can order simple, painless tests such as an echocardiogram that creates a moving picture of your heart, or a nuclear medicine test that shows how well the heart is pumping. If your EF is abnormally low, you may need further tests to see if you have an abnormal heart rhythm.

3. Has your heart rate been monitored to check for an abnormal rhythm?

If your ejection fraction is 40 percent or less, then further testing is warranted. If your heart arrhythmia comes and goes, there are special monitors you can wear or carry for a day, weeks or longer to record your heart's electrical activity.