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cardiac arrest symptoms: do you know the signs?

cardiac arrest is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack — but the two conditions are different. cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating.

by maija kappler
published jan 13, 2023
last updated jul 26, 2023
read time 4 minute read
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read time 4 minute read
join the conversation
while you may think that cardiac arrest comes on suddenly, there are actually warning signs. here’s what to look for.

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?

in most cases, cardiac arrest is caused by an irregular heartbeat, called an arrhythmia, which may cause the heart to beat too quickly or too slowly. arrhythmias aren’t always dangerous, but they can be.
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.

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your doctor may recommend a device that can detect a life-threatening abnormal heartbeat and help restore a normal rhythm. this device is typically implanted and called an icd, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. or it may be worn as a vest.
some people have catheter ablation. this procedure can fix a bad heart rhythm without surgery. a doctor puts tubes and wires into a blood vessel to destroy a very small part of the heart that causes bad rhythms.

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.

“if you have chest pain or unexplained shortness of breath, and especially if you have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a history of tobacco use, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, or a family history of heart disease, don’t ignore your symptoms,” dr. randall zusman, a cardiologist with harvard-affiliated massachusetts general hospital told harvard health.

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canadian society for exercise physiology
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once a person goes into cardiac arrest, signs include a sudden loss of consciousness, an inability to breathe and the loss of a pulse.

how to prevent cardiac arrest

cardiac arrest is more common in men than women, and risk increases with age. people who smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes are also more likely to experience it.
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.
if you take medicine for a heart problem, take it exactly as prescribed. go to your doctor appointments, and call your doctor if you’re having problems.

    how can i help someone experiencing cardiac arrest?

    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.
    story continues below
    update: this article is an update on a story previously published 2023-01-11
    for more information about cardiac arrest, visit the heart and stroke foundation of canada.
    maija kappler is a reporter and editor with healthing.
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