A life-threatening emergency, sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. As a result, the victim loses consciousness and stops breathing. Without immediate care, the patient will die. With prompt action and medical treatment, survival is feasible. According to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute, sudden cardiac arrest is a primary cause of death, causing between 300,000 and 450,000 deaths annually in the United States. Approximately half of the deaths associated with heart attack and stroke are caused by cardiac arrest.
It is a prevalent assumption that sudden cardiac risk is essentially a heart attack, however this is not the case. According to the Mayo Clinic, sudden cardiac arrest is distinct from a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to a portion of the heart is obstructed. Unexpected cardiac arrest is not the result of a blockage. However, a heart attack can create a shift in the electrical activity of the heart, which might result in abrupt cardiac arrest."
There are strategies to lower the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, including not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol use, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping annual doctor's appointments. Consume This, Not That! The editors of Health spoke with cardiologists who discussed abrupt cardiac arrest and why every second counts during a medical emergency. Please consult your physician for medical advice at all times.
What You Should Know About Cardiac Arrest
The medical director of sports cardiology at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Dr. Eli Friedman, states, "Sudden cardiac arrest can occur to anybody, anyplace. It is a medical emergency in which the heart either enters a hazardous rhythm (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) or entirely stops beating. Survival requires immediate intervention with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an automated external defibrillator (AED) within three minutes. Jayne Morgan, M.D., cardiologist and clinical director of the Covid Task Force at Piedmont Hospital/Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia, adds, "Recreational drug use and improper prescription drug use can result in cardiac arrest. This is true even for formerly healthy individuals."
Since many instances of sudden cardiac arrest occur in public settings, automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) have been installed in sites such as stadiums, bus and railway stations, schools, and workplaces, allowing bystanders to assist until emergency personnel arrive. According to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute, bystanders can phone 9-1-1, do CPR, and use an AED in the event of a cardiac arrest. Calling 9-1-1 immediately is crucial, as a person has a greater chance of survival when first responders arrive rapidly. Everyone has a responsibility to recognize the symptoms of cardiac arrest and intervene to save lives.
–Know where AEDs are located. AEDs can be found in numerous public locations, including businesses, schools, shopping malls, supermarkets, airports, event venues, and gyms. Determine if your workplace or school has an AED.
–Learn how to utilize an automated external defibrillator (AED). AEDs are not difficult to use, but training is essential. AED training is frequently combined with CPR training. Numerous prominent health organizations provide classes. Online training is offered. Find a local course.
–Take efforts to expand the accessibility of AEDs to the general public. AEDs save lives. You can recommend putting AEDs in public gathering and working spaces in your community and beyond. AEDs are extremely vital on ships, trains, and airplanes, where emergency assistance may not be readily available."
What Causes Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
"Sudden cardiac arrest is a malfunction of the heart's electrical system," adds Dr. Morgan. A heart attack (blood flow to the heart is blocked), scar tissue, cardiomyopathy (an enlarged or thickened heart), significant changes in your body's electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium, and Commotio Cordis (caused by a blow to the chest wall at a specific angle and timing during the cardiac cycle) are some of the possible causes.
Dr. Friedman states, "There are numerous potential causes for this. A few instances include pre-existing known or unknown heart illness, aortic dissections, pulmonary emboli, and electrolyte problems. In the end, we all die from cardiac arrest, or when the heart stops beating.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, cardiac arrest can be triggered by a heart problem or occur suddenly. There are three primary causes of cardiac arrest, however:
Arrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation: Arrhythmia happens when an abnormal heartbeat is caused by electrical signals in the heart. A kind of arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation is the most prevalent cause of cardiac arrest. Ventricular fibrillation is a fast heartbeat in the ventricle of the heart that causes the heart to quiver instead of pumping blood normally.
Heart enlargement (cardiomyopathy): The heart muscle dilates or thickens, resulting in aberrant cardiac contractions.
Coronary artery disease is a form of heart disease that happens when the coronary arteries become constricted and hardened due to plaque buildup, hence restricting blood flow to the heart. Coronary artery disease can result in heart failure or arrhythmias, both of which can cause cardiac arrest if left untreated.
Each Second Is Valuable
Dr. Morgan explains, "Cardiac arrest is the sudden loss of cardiac function, respiration, and then consciousness, which often occurs within six seconds. Immediate CPR is crucial for establishing the patient's prognosis. As cardiac arrest can occur anywhere, bystander preparedness (or lack thereof) determines the likelihood of survival."
Dr. Friedman notes, "The likelihood of survival depends on the cause of cardiac arrest. If the occurrence is noticed and a prompt CPR and AED application is administered within the first three minutes, the likelihood of survival is significantly increased. The key to survival is recognizing cardiac arrest, contacting 911 and grabbing the nearest AED if one is accessible, then beginning CPR with the administration of the AED. It is essential to maintain CPR and follow AED instructions until emergency medical personnel arrive."
After cardiac arrest, survivors may experience long-term health complications.
According to Dr. Morgan, the most severe consequence is the loss of a fully functional nervous system. Without it, a person may have trouble speaking, swallowing, dressing, remembering, walking, etc." Dr. Friedman explains, "There are numerous. Mental health is a major factor. Broken ribs are a typical complication of CPR and the subsequent event that caused cardiac arrest."
According to NYC Langone Health, the majority of cardiac arrest victims do not survive. There is a risk of neurologic dysfunction, brain injury, disorders of consciousness, neurocognitive deficiencies, changes in quality of life, and physical and psychological well-being among persons who smoke. In addition, NYC Langone Health adds, "Many successfully resuscitated patients have significant long-term issues, such as brain injury, functional deficits, and psychological and cognitive deficits, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and memory loss."