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cardiac arrest signs and symptoms
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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #16889
4 days ago
20

cardiac arrest signs and symptoms - #16889

Navya

I am really worried cause my dad had this crazy episode the other day. He was just watching TV, seemed totally fine, and then out of nowhere, he collapsed. I didn’t even know what was happening at first. I tried to wake him up, but he was unresponsive and his breathing was super shallow. I freaked out and called 911. The paramedics told me he was showing some cardiac arrest signs and symptoms when they got there. I heard them say things like "no pulse" and "chest compressions." It was just scary. He’s okay now, which is a relief, but now I'm stuck trying to figure out what to watch for in the future. Like, what are the actual cardiac arrest signs and symptoms I should be aware of? I've read about some but honestly, I feel overwhelmed. Are there early warnings or subtle signs? My family’s history has some heart issues, and I just want to know how to help, if there's, like, anything we can do! Can enthusiasm for health be a sign? My mom always says we should be active...I’m confused, help!

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Doctors’ responses

Cardiac arrest actually occurs quite suddenly, and it typically doesn’t provide much in the way of early warning signs, which is what makes it particularly dangerous. The key hallmark signs include a sudden loss of consciousness, no breathing or very shallow breathing, and a lack of a palpable pulse. Essentially, the heart stops effectively pumping blood, which is why immediate intervention, like calling emergency services and performing CPR, is crucial. You did exactly the right thing by calling 911 and helping as best as you could. In some cases, there might be preceding symptoms that can suggest risk, like chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness, but these are not always present before a cardiac arrest. Instead, they might occur as signs of a heart attack or arrhythmia, which can lead to cardiac arrest. Given your family’s history and current circumstances, it would be prudent for your dad to see a cardiologist who can perform assessments like an ECG, echocardiogram, or possibly a stress test to better understand his heart health and risk factors. They may recommend lifestyle changes, medications, or even an implantable defibrillator if they determine there’s a high risk. These steps can help manage risk factors and potentially prevent future events. Enthusiasm for health activities, like staying active, is generally beneficial and not a sign of concern. Regular exercise is indeed important and can actually support cardiovascular health when done appropriately. However, any new exercise program should be discussed with a healthcare provider to tailor a routine that’s safe, especially when there’s a history of heart issues.

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