OverviewSudden cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. The condition usually results from a problem with your heart's electrical system, which disrupts your heart's pumping action and stops blood flow to your body. Show Sudden cardiac arrest isn't the same as a heart attack, when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked. However, a heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to sudden cardiac arrest. If not treated immediately, sudden cardiac arrest can lead to death. Survival is possible with fast, appropriate medical care. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using a defibrillator — or even just giving compressions to the chest — can improve the chances of survival until emergency workers arrive. SymptomsSigns of sudden cardiac arrest are immediate and drastic and include:
Sometimes other signs and symptoms occur before sudden cardiac arrest. These might include:
But sudden cardiac arrest often occurs with no warning. When to see a doctorCall 911 or emergency medical help if you experience any of these signs and symptoms:
When the heart stops, the lack of oxygen-rich blood can cause death or permanent brain damage within minutes. Time is critical when you're helping an unconscious person who isn't breathing. If you see someone who's unconscious and not breathing normally, do the following:
Portable automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are available in many places, including airports, casinos and shopping malls. You can also purchase one for your home. AEDs come with built-in instructions for their use. They're programmed to allow a shock only when appropriate. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesThe usual cause of sudden cardiac arrest is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), which happens when your heart's electrical system isn't working correctly. The heart's electrical system controls the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat. If something goes wrong, your heart can beat too fast, too slowly or irregularly (arrhythmia). Often these arrhythmias are brief and harmless, but some types can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. The most common heart rhythm at the time of cardiac arrest is an arrhythmia in a lower chamber of your heart (ventricle). Rapid, erratic electrical impulses cause your ventricles to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood (ventricle fibrillation). Heart conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac arrestSudden cardiac arrest can happen in people who have no known heart disease. However, a life-threatening arrhythmia usually develops in a person with a preexisting, possibly undiagnosed heart condition. Conditions include:
Risk factorsBecause sudden cardiac arrest is so often linked with coronary artery disease, the same factors that put you at risk of coronary artery disease can also put you at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. These include:
Other factors that might increase your risk of sudden cardiac arrest include:
ComplicationsWhen sudden cardiac arrest occurs, reduced blood flow to your brain causes unconsciousness. If your heart rhythm doesn't rapidly return to normal, brain damage occurs and death results. Survivors of cardiac arrest might show signs of brain damage. PreventionReduce your risk of sudden cardiac arrest by getting regular checkups, being screened for heart disease and living a heart-healthy lifestyle. Nov. 02, 2021 What are 4 causes of cardiac arrest?What causes a cardiac arrest?. a heart attack (caused by coronary heart disease). cardiomyopathy and some inherited heart conditions.. congenital heart disease.. heart valve disease.. acute myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).. What are the 5 causes of cardiac arrest?Conditions include:. Coronary artery disease. ... . Heart attack. ... . Enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy). ... . Valvular heart disease. ... . Heart defect present at birth (congenital heart disease). ... . Electrical problems in the heart.. What are 2 known causes for cardiac arrest?Most cardiac arrests occur when a diseased heart's electrical system malfunctions. This malfunction causes an abnormal heart rhythm such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Some cardiac arrests are also caused by extreme slowing of the heart's rhythm (bradycardia).
What are the 8 causes of cardiac arrest?The Reversible Causes of Cardiac Arrest (The H and Ts). 5 H's.. 5 T's. Hypovolemia. Tension Pneumothorax. Hypoxia. Tamponade (Cardiac) Hydrogen ion (acidosis) Toxins. Hypothermia. Thrombosis, pulmonary (PE) Hypo- / Hyperkalemia. Thrombosis, coronary (MI) Also, treat: Hypoglycemia. Anemia.. |