Cardiac arrest causes 300,000 to 450,000 deaths in the United States, according to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute. It is more common in older men than women. This condition is fatal if it’s not treated immediately. This means it’s essential to know the signs of cardiac arrest and how to respond to someone experiencing it.

Symptoms

Cardiac arrest is a sudden stopping of the heartbeat. This sudden stop causes a lack of blood flow to the brain and other organs, resulting in a loss of consciousness. When not treated immediately, it can cause the affected person to become disabled or die.

In many cases, there are no symptoms; however, someone may experience the following symptoms before the condition strikes:

There are multiple reasons someone may experience cardiac arrest. Certain preexisting heart conditions are common causes:

How to Respond

When someone is experiencing cardiac arrest, it’s crucial to respond immediately. Someone may be experiencing an episode if they:

A prompt response includes the following steps:

After these steps have been taken, emergency personnel should take the patient to the hospital for further care.

Prevention Tips

Common ways to help prevent cardiac arrest consist of basic lifestyle changes, which can include:

Personal risk factors and ways to prevent cardiac arrest should be discussed with a doctor.

Conclusion

Knowing the signs and how to respond could save someone’s life. An immediate response is critical. If you have further questions, please reach out to your doctor.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. © 2023