What is Cardiac Arrest?

Understanding Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is a sudden and serious medical emergency where the heart stops beating properly. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other organs. Within seconds, the person becomes unconscious and stops breathing. Without fast treatment, it can be deadly.

What Happens in the Body?

The heart works because of an electrical system that controls its rhythm. In cardiac arrest, this electrical system fails. The heart may stop completely or beat in a wild, uncoordinated way. As a result, it cannot pump blood effectively.

Common Causes

Several things can cause cardiac arrest, such as:

• Irregular heart rhythms called arrhythmias
• A heart attack that disrupts the heart’s electrical system
• Heart failure or an enlarged heart
• Sudden trauma, like a hit to the chest
• Severe loss of blood or oxygen

What Are the Symptoms?

Cardiac arrest happens quickly and may have no warning signs. But sometimes, a person may feel:

• Chest discomfort
• Sudden dizziness or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• A racing or skipping heartbeat

If someone collapses and is not breathing or responding, it could be cardiac arrest.

What to Do in an Emergency

• Call emergency services immediately
• Start CPR if the person has no pulse
• Use an AED if available

Fast action saves lives. Every second counts.