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reasons for cardiac arrest
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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #14300
13 days ago
45

reasons for cardiac arrest - #14300

Pihu

I am really worried about my dad. Just the other day, he suddenly had this huge fainting spell after gardening, and it felt like forever until he woke up. When we got to the hospital, they said it was some kind of scare, but the doctor mentioned he could have had a cardiac arrest, which has been haunting me since! I mean, what are the real reasons for cardiac arrest? He’s always been active, plays golf every week and doesn’t have a history of heart issues or anything, but lately he’s been complaining about shortness of breath and fatigue. I tried to look it up, but there’s just so much info out there. Are there hidden reasons for cardiac arrest that we should be aware of? Is it just old age catching up to him, or could there be more serious stuff going on that we don’t see? I can’t shake the feeling that we missed something important. Should I be thinking about lifestyle changes or getting more tests done or something?? Any advice on the reasons for cardiac arrest would really help! I just want to make sure he’s safe.

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Doctors’ responses

Cardiac arrest can happen due to several reasons even in individuals who appear relatively healthy. It occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively, leading to a loss of consciousness and a halt in breathing. The root causes can be complex. The most common trigger for cardiac arrest is an electrical disruption in the heart, often caused by arrhythmias like ventricular fibrillation where the heart beats in an irregular and chaotic manner. Coronary artery disease is another significant factor, where plaque build-up in the arteries restricts blood flow and can lead to heart attacks, potentially leading to cardiac arrest. Even without a history of heart disease, sudden cardiac arrest can happen due to unexpected heart muscle abnormalities, like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or congenital heart defects. Sometimes, electrolyte imbalances, such as in potassium or magnesium levels, severe physical stress, or acute respiratory distress could contribute as well. Lifestyle aspects are important too, though your dad being active is a protective factor. Considering he has been experiencing shortness of breath and fatigue, it might be worthwhile to probe into these symptoms further. Encourage a comprehensive cardiac evaluation to rule out the underlying causes, especially the silent ones. Echocardiogram, stress tests, and coronary angiography might be recommended by his cardiologist to assess heart function and structure. Changes in lifestyle, such as increased monitoring of heart health, dietary adjustments (like reducing saturated fats, implementing a heart-healthy diet), and supervised exercise routines could also be beneficial. Equip him with knowledge about emergency measures, like CPR and using a defibrillator. Finally, ensure that he has regular medical checkups. Your proactive approach in seeking a deeper understanding and professional medical insight is key to safeguarding his health.

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