Cardiac arrest, also called cardiac arrest, means your heart suddenly stops beating. This cuts off blood flow to the brain and other organs. It is an emergency and can be fatal if not treated immediately. 112 should be called immediately
SYMPTOMS
Cardiac arrest is rapid and severe: you lose consciousness, you have no pulse and you cannot breathe. Just before it happens, there may be a feeling of fatigue, dizziness, weakness, and shortness of breath. You may faint or have chest pain. But these are not always necessary. Cardiac arrest can occur without any warning signs.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
There is an electrical system that keeps your heart beating regularly. The heart may stop if the electrical signals change into a rhythm that is chaotic or causes the heart to beat too fast. There are different types of arrhythmias, and most are not dangerous. One, called ventricular fibrillation, most commonly causes cardiac arrest. In this condition, the heart cannot pump enough blood to your body. Your life could end in a few minutes.
HEART DISEASE
Many people who have cardiac arrest have coronary artery disease. Having coronary artery disease means less blood flows to your heart. This can lead to a heart attack, which damages your heart's electrical system.
OTHER CAUSES
Cardiac arrest can also occur for other reasons:
Severe blood loss or severe lack of oxygen
Intense exercise when you have a heart problem
Very high levels of potassium or magnesium, which can lead to a fatal heart rhythm
Some genetically inherited rhythm disorders
Deterioration of the structure of your heart. For example, an enlarged heart or changes caused by an infection.
IT IS NOT A HEART ATTACK
A heart attack is damage to the heart tissue as a result of blockage of blood flow. Cardiac arrest does not occur in every heart attack. In addition, if the damage is severe in a heart attack, cardiac arrest may occur months or even years after the attack.
WHO IS AT RISK?
If there is coronary artery disease (This is the biggest risk.)
Male
If you have ever had an arrhythmia or cardiac arrest, or if someone in your family has had one
If you smoke or use drugs description
If you have had one or more heart attacks and the damage is severe
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart failure
If you have obesity
TREATMENT
If you experience sudden cardiac arrest, you need immediate treatment with a defibrillator, a machine that ends the chaotic rhythm by applying electricity to the heart. This shock can sometimes cause your heart to beat normally again. But for it to work, it must be done within the first few minutes. First responders, such as police, firefighters, and paramedics, usually have a defibrillator and know how to use it. In some public places, there is a type of machine that automatically checks the rhythm, called an AED, that everyone can use.
IN THE HOSPITAL
The patient is closely monitored in intensive care. An attempt is made to find out what caused your cardiac arrest and to treat the problem. If you have coronary artery disease, a procedure called angioplasty may be performed to open narrowed or blocked arteries in your heart. Additionally, lifestyle changes and medications are recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence.
SHOCK DEVICE (ICD)
This device is a It is a small automatic defibrillator that a doctor can place under your skin to send an electric shock to your heart if they find irregular heartbeats. Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you have serious heart disease or have had a cardiac arrest before.
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