cardiac arrest symptoms: do you know the signs?

cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack

cardiac arrest is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack — but the two conditions are different. cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating. when the heart no longer beats, it can no longer send blood to the brain, lungs, or the rest of the body. if it’s not treated immediately, it will usually lead to death. a heart attack, however, means that something blocks blood from getting to the heart. as the american heart association explains it, cardiac arrest is an electrical problem, while a heart attack is a circulation problem — although a heart attack can sometimes cause cardiac arrest, either after the attack or during recovery.

what causes cardiac arrest?

according to the mayo clinic, several heart conditions can lead to arrhythmias, such as:

• ventricular fibrillation: the lower chamber of the heart doesn’t beat regularly
• heart attack: can trigger ventricular fibrillation, or leave scar tissue around the heart
• coronary artery disease: cholesterol or other deposits in the arteries reduce blood flow to the heart
• cardiomyopathy: the heart becomes enlarged, forcing the heart muscle into an abnormal position
• congenital heart disease: children born with heart disease are more likely to experience sudden cardiac arrest
• valvular heart disease: heart valves narrow or begin to leak, which may stretch or thicken the heart muscle and cause heart chambers to weaken
• other electrical issues: rare primary heart rhythm abnormalities, including brugada syndrome and  long qt syndrome, cause problems in the heart’s electrical system

if you have a health problem that raises your risk of cardiac arrest, treatment of that problem may help lower your risk . medicine often can control the heart rhythm.

what are the symptoms of cardiac arrest?

while cardiac arrest seems to come on suddenly, according to a study published in the annals of internal medicine, there are usually warning signs that are ignored. the most common are chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations, lightheadedness or fainting, nausea, and vomiting. in fact, the researchers found that of more than 800 people who experienced sudden cardiac arrest about half had warning signs during the month leading up to the cardiac arrest, and even 24 hours before. those who survived (32 per cent) called 911 before the cardiac arrest, while just six per cent of those who didn’t get help survived.

how to prevent cardiac arrest

a healthy lifestyle can help keep your heart strong and healthy. some recommendations include:

• quit smoking. quitting smoking can lower your risk for cardiac arrest.
• eat a heart-healthy diet. eat more fruits and vegetables and other high-fibre foods.
• exercise. you should be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most, if not all, days of the week.
• stay at a healthy weight. lose weight if you need to.
• drink alcohol only in moderation. that means no more than three drinks a day for men, two drinks a day for women.
• avoid using illegal drugs. stimulants like cocaine, ecstasy, or methamphetamine can affect your heart’s rhythm.

call 911 right away: cardiac arrest is often fatal if not treated immediately. if you have access to a defibrillator, use it to try to revive the patient. if you don’t, do cpr to keep oxygen flowing in the patient’s body until medical professionals arrive.