“Amit was a healthy 40-year-old media professional with no history of health problems. However, one day when he was returning from work, he collapsed in his office, and upon being admitted to a nearby hospital, he was diagnosed with cardiac arrest.”
Most of us might have heard about sudden cardiac arrest and often mistaken it for a heart attack. However, it is not the same. Sudden cardiac arrests are more common than you might think and can occur anytime to anyone. Did you know that nearly 80% of sudden cardiac arrests occur at home[1]? Also, sudden cardiac arrest is often fatal if appropriate steps aren’t taken immediately. So in this article, let’s shed some light on what is a sudden cardiac arrest, its symptoms, and what you should do in case of a sudden cardiac arrest.
What Is A Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
A sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating suddenly because of a problem with electrical signals in your heart. The heart stops sending blood to the body and brain and oxygen-starved brain cells start being damaged.
Signs Of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
A sudden cardiac arrest usually happens without any warning signs. A person experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest can:
– Collapse suddenly
– Be unconscious/unresponsive and may not respond to touch or sound
– Face difficulty in breathing (make gasping sounds) or fail to breathe
Who Is At Risk?
A sudden cardiac arrest can occur at any age and anytime. Even people with no previous health problem or history of heart disease can suffer from a sudden cardiac arrest. Moreover, it can occur without any prior warning. However, there are certain factors that can up the risk of a sudden cardiac arrest which include:
– Old age
– Gender (men are more prone than women)
– History of arrhythmias/heart attack
– Family history of heart disease
– Smoking
– Sedentary lifestyle
– Obesity
– Substance abuse
– Potassium or magnesium deficiency
Causes Of A Sudden Cardiac Arrest
A sudden cardiac arrest may be caused by almost any known heart condition. The most common cause of a sudden cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation (VF). It is a type of arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) that is not diagnosed beforehand leading to fatal consequences. Other causes include:
– Coronary heart disease
– Heart attack
– Congenital heart disease
– Use of recreational drugs
– Drowning
– Respiratory distress
– Trauma
– Electrocution
Is A Sudden Cardiac Arrest The Same As A Heart Attack?
Sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack are not the same thing, although people often confuse both the terms.
A sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops pumping blood to the rest of the body. It is mostly caused due to abnormal heart rhythm. In this, normal breathing stops, and consciousness is lost. If left unattended (for a few minutes), it can also increase the risk of mortality.
A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked which prevents blood flow to part of the heart muscle. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the section of the heart muscle begins to die. During a heart attack, a person remains conscious and keeps breathing. If treatment is delayed, then the damage to the heart muscle increases.
However, in some cases, a heart attack can cause a sudden cardiac arrest. This is because a person suffering from a heart attack can also experience abnormal heart rhythm, which can lead to a sudden cardiac arrest. Remember, both heart attack and cardiac arrest are medical emergencies that require immediate attention.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest: What YOU Should Do?
If you witness a sudden cardiac arrest, then call for medical assistance/ambulance immediately. However, do not wait for the emergency medical service to arrive but start off with first-aid like
– Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
– Use an automated external defibrillator (AED)
The Role Of CPR
A person’s life can be saved from a sudden cardiac arrest if the heart rhythm is recovered. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure that you can perform as a bystander on a person getting a sudden cardiac arrest until medical help arrives. If performed in the first few minutes of the sudden cardiac arrest, CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
General Guidelines For CPR
– Firstly, check the airway of the person by placing them on their back and open airways by lifting the chin slightly.
– Secondly, check breathing by placing your ear next to their mouth and listen for around 10 seconds.
– If the person doesn’t breathe or make gasping noises, perform CPR.
Step 1: Perform 30 chest compressions: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest, slightly below the nipples with the heel of the hands and straight elbows. Push at least 2 inches deep at a rate of least 100 times per minute.
Step 2: Pinch nose and give 2 rescue breaths: Watch for chest rising.
– Repeat the cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until the person starts breathing or help arrives.
Guidelines for CPR during COVID-19
According to the American Heart Association[5], the latest guidelines to perform CPR (during COVID-19) are:
– Firstly, verify the scene safety by using personal protective equipment (PPE) and limiting the gathering of people around the patient.
– If the victim is unresponsive, shout for help or call an emergency helpline number.
– If the person doesn’t breathe or make gasping noises, perform CPR.
Step 1: Perform 30 chest compressions: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest, slightly below the nipples with the heel of the hands and straight elbows. Push at least 2 inches deep at a rate of least 100 times per minute.
Step 2: Provide rescue breathing using a bag-mask device with a filter and tight seal. Also known as an Ambu bag, it is a hand-held device used to provide positive pressure ventilation. Watch for chest rising.
– Repeat the cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until the person starts breathing or help arrives.
Performing CPR can increase a person’s chances of survival post a sudden cardiac arrest. Remember, a sudden cardiac arrest needs emergency care, so if it happens to someone near you, step in as you are that person’s BEST chance to survive.
Disclaimer: All data, details and information provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. 1mg will not be liable for any errors, losses, omissions in the content or injuries resulted due to the information provided. 1mg does not endorse any brands and is not responsible for their claims and efficacy. The content suggested here should not be considered as an alternative to medical advice.
References:
1. Cardiac arrest (Cardiopulmonary arrest). Heart and Stroke Foundation.
2. About Cardiac Arrest. American Heart Association (AHA).
3. Sudden Cardiac Arrest. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
4. Three Things You May Not Know About CPR | Features. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
5. BLS Healthcare Provider Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Algorithm for the Single Rescuer for Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Patients. American Heart Association.