Cardiac Arrest

Overview

Sudden cardiac arrest is a potentially fatal disorder in which your heart stops beating. Your heart is no longer pumping blood. This puts your organs and entire body at risk of death within minutes. They must be supplied with oxygen at all times. That oxygen is delivered via your blood.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are two types of emergency treatment. CPR maintains enough oxygen levels in your lungs and delivers it to your brain until an electric shock restores a regular heartbeat. CPR and defibrillators have the potential to save your life.

Cardiac Arrest Prevalence:

Cardiac arrest is a significant public health concern in the United States, with thousands of cases documented yearly. The availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and rapid medical care access can affect survival rates.

As a heavily populated state, New York may see a significant incidence of cardiac arrests. The availability of emergency medical services and qualified responders is critical for increasing survival rates.

Prevention 

Preventing cardiac arrest includes controlling risk factors for cardiac arrest, living a heart-healthy lifestyle, and detecting and treating heart issues early.

To help you manage and prevent your heart’s health Manhattan Medical Arts offers the following cardiology services:

• Cardiology Consultation
• Vascular ultrasound
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Echocardiography
• Cardiovascular Screening
• Nuclear Cardiology
• Cardiac Health Counseling and Advice
• Cardiac Exercise/Stress Test

For the more up-to-date and accurate information about the heart health services and testing offered at Manhattan Medical Arts, visit our official website or contact us for more information.

Causes

A variety of reasons can result in sudden cardiac arrest. Ventricular and atrial fibrillation are two of the most frequent cardiac arrest causes:

Ventricular Fibrillation

Your heart is made up of four chambers. The ventricles are the two bottom chambers. These chambers twitch uncontrollably in ventricular fibrillation—the heart’s beat changes substantially. The ventricles begin to pump inefficiently, resulting in a significant decrease in blood pushed through the body. In severe circumstances, blood circulation is completely halted. This can result in abrupt cardiac death.

Ventricular fibrillation is the most common cause of cardiac arrest.

Atrioventricular Fibrillation

The heart can stop beating efficiently after an arrhythmia in the upper chambers. The atria are the name given to these chambers.

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the sinoatrial (SA) node fails to send the proper electrical impulses. Your SA node can be found in the right atrium. It controls how fast the heart pumps blood. When the electrical stimulation enters atrial fibrillation, the ventricles cannot adequately pump blood out to the body.

Symptoms

More than half of all sudden cardiac arrest cases occur without prior symptoms.

• Fainting (losing consciousness) is one of the cardiac arrest symptoms
• The heartbeat is racing
• Chest ache
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Breathing difficulty
• You’re ill to your stomach and want to vomit

This indicates that a potentially serious heart rhythm problem has begun, which is why these are also indications of sudden cardiac death.

Diagnosis

It is critical to seek medical assistance immediately if you experience a cardiac episode that causes your heart to stop beating normally. The goal of medical treatment will be to restore blood flow to your body. Your doctor will almost certainly perform an electrocardiogram to determine the type of irregular rhythm your heart is experiencing. To cure the problem, your cardiologist will most likely shock your heart using a defibrillator. An electric shock can frequently restore the heart’s natural beat.

Other tests that can be used following for cardiac arrest diagnosis include:

• Blood tests can be used to detect signs of cardiac arrest. They can also detect levels of potassium and magnesium.
• A chest X-ray can detect other indicators of heart disease.

Treatment

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one type of sudden cardiac arrest treatment. Another example is defibrillation. These procedures restart your heart after it has stopped.

If you survive a cardiac arrest, your doctor may put you on one or more medications to lower your chances of having another one.

• Medication can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels; surgery can repair damaged blood arteries or heart valves. It can also bypass or eliminate artery obstructions.
• Exercise can help you enhance your cardiovascular fitness.
• Changing your diet can help you lower your cholesterol.

When To See A Doctor

When the heart stops beating, a lack of oxygen-rich blood can result in death or irreversible brain damage.

Call 911 if you have any of the following cardiac arrest symptoms:

• Pain or discomfort in the chest
• The sensation of a beating heartbeat
• Fast or irregular heartbeats
• Unknown cause of wheezing
• Breathing difficulty
• Passing out or coming close to passing out
• feeling lightheaded or dizzy

Call local emergency services if you encounter someone unconscious and not breathing. Then begin CPR. According to the research, CPR should be performed with forceful and quick chest compressions. If an AED (automated external defibrillator) is available, use it.

Summary 

Sudden cardiac arrest is a critical medical emergency characterized by the heart abruptly stopping its normal rhythm, which leads to a halt in blood flow and can result in death within minutes if not treated promptly. According to the American Heart Association, over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year, making it a significant public health issue.

Immediate treatment is crucial. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are key interventions. CPR helps maintain blood flow and oxygenation to the brain and other vital organs, while defibrillation, which uses electric shocks, aims to restore a normal heartbeat. Studies have shown that early CPR and defibrillation can increase survival by up to 49-75%.

In New York, the incidence of cardiac arrest might be higher due to the state’s dense population, with New Yorkers potentially experiencing a higher rate of these events. The availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and rapid access to emergency medical services are crucial for improving survival outcomes.

Preventive measures include managing risk factors, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, and early detection and treatment of heart issues. Manhattan Medical Arts offers a range of cardiology services, such as cardiology consultations, vascular ultrasound, electrocardiograms (ECG), echocardiography, cardiovascular screening, and cardiac health counseling.

Common causes of sudden cardiac arrest include ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation causes the heart’s ventricles to twitch uncontrollably, leading to inefficient blood pumping and potentially cardiac death. Atrial fibrillation results from arrhythmias in the heart’s upper chambers, disrupting normal heart rhythm.

Symptoms can appear suddenly, including fainting, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Immediate medical attention is essential, and diagnosis may involve an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, and chest X-rays.

Treatment options include CPR, defibrillation, medications to manage heart function, and lifestyle changes such as improved diet and exercise. If experiencing symptoms like chest pain or breathing difficulties, call 911 immediately and administer CPR if necessary. 

-Disclaimer-

This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about cardiac arrest or any other medical condition, please see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment suggestions.