What is Cardiac Arrest?

Cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood the way it should. This is usually caused by a serious problem in the heart’s electrical system, not by a problem you can see from the outside. When blood flow stops, the brain and other organs cannot get the oxygen they need.

Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency that causes a person to collapse, become unresponsive, and stop breathing normally. It is not the same thing as a heart attack, although a heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest is most often caused by a dangerous heart rhythm. It may be linked to coronary artery disease, a heart attack, heart failure, scarring or thickening of the heart muscle, inherited rhythm conditions, major chest injury, drug misuse, or low oxygen levels. Risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, inactivity, and family history can also raise the chance of serious heart problems that may lead to cardiac arrest.

Symptoms

Cardiac arrest often happens without much warning, but some people may notice symptoms shortly before it occurs.

Common signs can include:

• Sudden collapse
• No response when spoken to or touched
• No normal breathing, or only gasping
• No pulse

Some people may have warning signs ahead of time, such as:

• Chest discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• A racing or fluttering heartbeat
• Dizziness or fainting

How is it diagnosed?

Cardiac arrest is recognized right away in an emergency. Providers look for sudden unresponsiveness, absent normal breathing, and no pulse. Emergency teams focus first on restoring circulation and breathing.

Once the person is stable, doctors work to determine why the arrest occurred. This may include a physical exam, questions about health history, an electrocardiogram, blood tests, and heart imaging or other tests based on the situation.

How is it treated?

Treatment starts immediately. The first steps are to call 911, begin CPR, and use an AED as soon as one is available. Fast action can save a life by helping restore blood flow and a normal heart rhythm.

After emergency care, hospital treatment depends on the cause. Some people may need medicines, treatment for a blocked artery, breathing support, or other advanced heart care. Recovery can take time, and the outlook depends on how quickly treatment is started and whether the brain or other organs were affected.