what are the symptoms of cardiac arrest - #20611

Cardiac arrest can indeed be a sudden and shocking event, and it’s understandable to want to know more about the symptoms and signs leading up to it. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating, and blood is no longer being pumped to the brain and other vital organs, causing the person to lose consciousness and stop breathing. Essentially, the most immediate and critical symptoms of cardiac arrest are unresponsiveness and absence of normal breathing. If a person is experiencing cardiac arrest, they will usually collapse suddenly and will not respond when spoken to or shaken, and they will not be breathing normally. You might also notice that their pulse is either very faint or absent entirely. Contrary to some confusing online information, cardiac arrest is generally more sudden than gradual, and it doesn’t always provide advance warnings like chest pain or dizziness, though these can sometimes occur. Chest pain is a symptom more commonly associated with a heart attack, which is different from cardiac arrest but can lead to it.

In some cases, individuals might experience symptoms leading up to cardiac arrest such as dizziness, fainting, or palpitations, which some people describe as their heart ‘racing’ or ‘skipping a beat.’ Breathing problems or shortness of breath can also occur, particularly if the heart is not pumping efficiently leading up to arrest. However, these symptoms aren’t always present, and cardiac arrest can happen without warning. It’s crucial to act quickly, as you did, by calling emergency services and, if trained, performing CPR to circulate blood and oxygen until professional help arrives. In terms of prevention and early detection, it’s important to manage risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of heart conditions, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle, which can be monitored through regular medical check-ups. Implementing a heart-healthy lifestyle including balanced diet, regular exercise, and medications as prescribed by healthcare providers can help reduce the risk of cardiac events. If you’re concerned about knowing what to do in the future, familiarizing yourself with CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use could be highly beneficial. Remember, recognizing the sudden loss of consciousness and absence of breathing is key, as those indicate immediate need for emergency intervention.