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Signs and Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest

by | Jul 1, 2024 | Info | 0 comments

Cardiac Arrest Overview

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when an electrical malfunction causes the heart to stop beating. It prevents blood flow to the organs, and this can be fatal without immediate treatment.

Below, we look at what happens during sudden cardiac arrest, including the signs and symptoms and what to do next. We also explore treatments, survival rates, and risk factors.

If anyone shows signs of cardiac arrest, such as a loss of consciousness or detectable pulse, dial 911 or contact a local hospital’s emergency department immediately.

What happens During Cardiac Arrest?

The heart receives electrical signals that control how often it pumps and in what rhythm. Each heartbeat pushes blood through a complex network of vessels to organs and cells throughout the body.

Disruptions to these electrical signals cause irregular beats, known as arrhythmias. There are many types of arrhythmia. Some cause no symptoms, while others can cause cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest causes the heart to suddenly stop beating, which prevents blood from moving around the body.

This is different from a heart attack, which occurs when a blocked blood vessel prevents blood from reaching the heart, damaging its tissues.

Signs and Symptoms of a Cardiac Arrest

The first sign of cardiac arrest is typically loss of consciousness, or fainting. A person experiencing cardiac arrest also has no detectable heartbeat or pulse.

Before losing consciousness, some people experience other symptoms, such as:

Unlike a heart attack, cardiac arrest often occurs suddenly, without any warning. Though the two issues are different, people who have had one or more heart attacks have a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

What to Do in Case of Cardiac Arrest Event

Treatment within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest can save the person’s life. It is vital to act quickly.

If someone shows signs of cardiac arrest:

  1. Contact 911 and ask for emergency medical services. If possible, ask a bystander to do this.
  2. Check if the unconscious person is breathing. If they are not, find an automated external defibrillator (AED) if there is one nearby.
  3. If none is available, administer CPR by hand. Place both hands on the center of the person’s chest and push down firmly 100–120 times per minute.
  4. Continue administering CPR until the emergency responders arrive.

AEDs administer a controlled electric shock to people with dangerous heart arrhythmias. They do not release this shock unless there is an abnormal heart rhythm. As a result, they are suitable for anyone to use, with or without training.

Automated external defibrillator (AEDs)  are widely available in public spaces. Using one as soon as possible increases the chances of survival.

If there are no AEDs nearby, continuously performing CPR keeps blood and oxygen flowing to the organs and brain until a medical professional can use a defibrillator to restart the heart.

Treatment of Cardiac Arrest

After receiving emergency treatment, a person who has experienced cardiac arrest needs hospital treatment.

At the hospital, doctors closely monitor any symptoms and may use medications to lower the risk of another cardiac arrest. They then perform tests to determine the cause of the arrest. The test results help the doctors develop a long-term treatment plan.

For example, a person with heart disease may require surgery to restore blood flow to the heart. The doctors may also recommend an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

ICDs are small devices that deliver electrical shocks to the heart to control arrhythmias. This keeps the heart pumping at a normal rate. A specialized cardiologist places this device beneath the skin of the chest or abdomen.

During their hospital stay, the patient needs to rest to allow their body to recover.

Doctors may recommend that the person adopts a diet and lifestyle that supports heart health. They may also recommend cardiac rehabilitation — a short program that provides information and support.

Surviving Cardiac Arrest

Individuals can survive sudden cardiac arrest. The chances of survival usually depend on how quickly and effectively they receive CPR or defibrillation.

A 2020 review in BMC Critical Care looked at 141 studies of survival rates among people who had received CPR for cardiac arrest. The researchers found that blood circulation returned in around 30% of those who had received this intervention, while 22% lived long enough to reach a hospital, and 9% survived until hospital discharge.

Other factors, such as age and general health, also influence the likelihood of surviving cardiac arrest.

Causes and Risk Factors of  Cardiac Arrest

Most cardiac arrests result from ventricular fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia. Ventricular fibrillation causes the heart’s lower chambers to beat abnormally, preventing the heart from pumping blood to the rest of the body.

Some health conditions also increase the risk of an electrical problem that could cause cardiac arrest. These include:

  • Abnormal potassium or magnesium levels
  • Ischemic heart disease, which happens when plaque builds up in the arteries, restricting or blocking blood flow
  • Severe blood loss or lack of oxygen
  • Intense exercise, which can trigger cardiac arrest in people with existing heart conditions
  • Structural problems, such as enlargement of the heart
  • Inherited heart conditions, such as long QT syndrome
  • The use of stimulant drugs, such as amphetamines

Other risk factors for cardiac arrest include older age, being male, and having a substance abuse disorder.

Prevention of Cardiac Arrest

Anyone can reduce the risk of cardiac arrest by adopting a lifestyle that supports heart health. This includes having a healthful diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking. Having a moderate weight is also important.

People with a higher risk of cardiac arrest, such as people with heart disease, may also require medications to prevent or reduce their risk. A doctor may prescribe drugs that lower blood pressure or statins to reduce cholesterol.

Patients who have experienced cardiac arrest before can reduce the risk going forward by having an ICD implanted and closely following their treatment plan.

Summary

Cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical signals that control the heart’s movements malfunction, causing the heart to stop beating. As a result, the person faints and their pulse becomes undetectable.

Immediate treatment with CPR and defibrillation is vital for people experiencing cardiac arrest. People can find defibrillators, called AEDs, in public spaces. If none is available, perform CPR until emergency responders arrive and administer defibrillation.

After receiving emergency treatment for cardiac arrest, the person needs ongoing care. A doctor may recommend surgery, medication, diet or lifestyle changes, or a combination. They will create a long-term treatment plan.

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