What is Cardiac Arrest? The Signs and treatment

What is cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest forst aid : wikimedia commons

Cardiac arrest is a condition in which the heart rate stops abruptly. Cardiac arrest is a very serious health problem, and is also known as sudden cardiac.

The heart has an internal electrical system that controls the heartbeat rhythm. Some problems can cause abnormal heart rhythms, called arrhythmias. During the arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or stop beating. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart has an arrhythmia that causes the heart to stop. This serious heart condition is caused by a blockage that stops blood flow to the heart.

A heart attack (or myocardial infarction) is the death of cardiac muscle tissue due to loss of blood intake, in which cardiac arrest is caused by cardiac electrical system malfunction. In cardiac arrest, death occurs when the heart stops working suddenly. However, a heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disorder that causes sudden cardiac arrest.

This condition can cause death or disability. When the heart stops, the lack of blood with oxygen can cause brain damage in just a few minutes. Death or permanent brain damage can occur within 4-6 minutes. Time is critical when you help an unconscious and non-breathing person. If you or someone else has symptoms of cardiac arrest, seek emergency medical help immediately.

How common is cardiac arrest?

This condition is very common and can occur in patients of any age. Cardiac arrest can be treated by reducing risk factors. Discuss with your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest?
The characteristics and symptoms of cardiac arrest are:

• Fainting suddenly 
• No heartbeat 
• No breathing 
• Loss of consciousness 
• Chest pain 
• Dizzy 
• Hard to breathe

There may be signs and symptoms not mentioned above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I go to doctor?

You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Recurrent chest pain often
• Heart Palpitations
• Rapid and irregular heartbeat
• Wheezing or shortness of breath for no apparent reason
• Fainting or almost fainting
• Dizzy

What causes cardiac arrest?

Several factors can cause sudden cardiac arrest. The most common factors are ventricular and atrial fibrillation.

Your heart has 4 spaces; the two chambers below are the ventricles and the two above are the atria. In ventricular fibrillation, the space vibrates uncontrollably. This causes the heart rhythm to change dramatically. Ventricles start pumping inefficiently, reducing the amount of blood pumped throughout the body. In some cases, blood circulation stops altogether. This can lead to death.

In ventricular fibrillation, the sinoatrial gland (SA) does not transmit the proper electrical impulses. The SA gland lies in the right space, and serves to regulate how quickly the heart pumps blood. When an electrical impulse enters an atrial fibrillation, the ventricles can not pump blood throughout the body efficiently.

What increases my risk for cardiac arrest?

There are many factors that make a person more at risk of cardiac arrest :

• Family history of coronary artery disease 
• Smoke 
• High blood pressure 
• High blood cholesterol 
• Obesity 
• Diabetes 
• Lifestyle that is not active 
• Drinking too much alcohol (more than 2 drinks a day).

Other factors that may increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest include:

• Previous history of cardiac arrest or family history of cardiac arrest 
• Previous heart attacks 
• Personal or family history of other types of heart disease, such as heart rhythm disorders, congentital heart defects, heart failure and cardiomyopathy 
• Age. Over 45 years for men, above 55 for women 
• Man 
• Using illegal drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines 
• Nutrition imbalances, such as low potassium or magnesium levels 

Medication & Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is cardiac arrest diagnosed?

Your doctor will probably perform a test called an electrocardiogram to identify the type of abnormal rhythm your heart is experiencing. To overcome the condition, the doctor will use a defibrillator to shock your heart. Electric shocks can often restore a normal heartbeat.
Other tests may also be used after you have an incident with your heart:

• Blood tests can be performed to see signs of heart attack, as well as measure potassium and magnesium levels. 
• Chest X-rays can see other signs of heart disease 
• An echocardiogram can help identify whether the area of ​​the heart is damaged by a heart attack and does not pump normally or is at its maximum (ejection fraction) or whether there is a valvular abnormality 
• Nuclear scan. This test, usually performed in conjunction with a stress test, helps identify the problem of blood flow to the heart. 

What are the treatments for cardiac arrest?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or pulmonary cardiac resuscitation and defibrillation is one way of handling for emergency situations.

If you are successful through cardiac arrest, your doctor may start treatment to reduce the risk of other attacks.

• Drugs can lower high blood pressure and cholesterol 
• Surgery can repair damaged blood vessels or heart valves. Surgery can also bypass or remove blockages in the arteries 
• Exercise can improve cardiac fitness 
• Changes in diet can reduce cholesterol.

How to prevent cardiac arrest?

Here are the lifestyle changes that can help you prevent cardiac arrest:

• Do not smoke 
• Reduce alcohol consumption no more than 1-2 drinks a day 
• Have a nutritious and balanced diet 
• Physically active.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution of your problem.

Tweet