Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood properly, leading to the loss of a pulse and often resulting in death. In the U.S., it’s responsible for over 430,000 deaths each year according to the American Heart Association.
Typically, cardiac arrest is triggered by underlying health problems like heart disease, issues with electrolytes, or a pulmonary embolism. It can also happen due to incidents like drowning, significant injury, or drug overdose.
If you see someone collapse or suspect a cardiac arrest, it’s crucial to call 911 immediately and start CPR. This could be their only chance of survival. There are several types of cardiac arrest, and if someone collapses, is gasping, or can’t breathe, it’s important to err on the side of caution and assume cardiac arrest—starting CPR promptly can mean the difference between life and death. Quick CPR can double or even triple their survival chances.
During a cardiac arrest, when the heart isn’t pumping, organs and tissues miss out on oxygen-rich blood, making the brain extremely vulnerable to ischemia, or low oxygen. The lack of blood to the brain, called cerebral ischemia, can cause a person to collapse and lose consciousness in seconds. Recognizing cardiac arrest quickly and commencing CPR right away is vital to maintaining blood flow to critical organs. Without CPR, cardiac arrest is fatal.
To perform hands-only CPR, push hard and fast on the person’s chest until help arrives. Many public places have AEDs (automated external defibrillators), which can deliver an electrical shock to help restore the heart rhythm. Though AEDs might seem daunting, they’re straightforward to use and will give clear spoken instructions on how to operate them.
Emergency personnel, once they arrive, are skilled in advanced resuscitation and will take over CPR and transport the person to the hospital for further treatment. The treatment they provide will depend on what caused the cardiac arrest, and can include medications, medical procedures, or surgery. For example, heart attack-induced cardiac arrest might be treated with cardiac catheterization to unblock blood vessels in the heart.
Cardiac arrest often strikes without warning and can affect anyone, not just those with known heart conditions. To reduce the risk of cardiac arrest linked to heart disease, it’s important to maintain heart health through lifestyle management and addressing underlying conditions. If heart disease runs in your family, speaking with a healthcare provider about your risks and preventive steps is a smart move.
Immediate treatment is crucial for survival during a cardiac arrest. Despite treatment, survival rates are low, with only 10% surviving an event outside of a hospital. In-hospital cardiac arrests have a higher survival rate, up to 60%. Recognizing the signs and starting CPR quickly is essential. Survivors of cardiac arrest may face serious complications due to the lack of blood flow during the event.
