Cardiac Arrest

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Cardiac Arrest Definition

Cardiac arrest is an extreme and sudden medical emergency and condition where the heart stops functioning and there is unexpected loss of breathing and consciousness. Cardiac arrest and heart attack are most often confused to be the same but they are not.

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms are very immediate and drastic, and come without any warning:

• Sudden collapse
• No pulse
• No breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Fatigue and weakness
• Fainting, blackouts, dizziness
• Chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations
• Vomiting

Cardiac Arrest Risks factors

Cardiac Arrest causes include the following:

• Personal or family history of forms of heart disease
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Drinking
• Increasing Age
• Males – two to three times more likely to experience sudden cardiac arrest
• Drug abuse of cocaine or amphetamines
• Nutritional imbalance of low potassium or magnesium levels

Cardiac Arrest Diagnosis

• Electrocardiogram
• Blood tests to check the levels of potassium, magnesium, hormones and other chemicals that may affect your heart’s ability to function properly.
• Imaging tests like chest X-ray, echocardiogram, nuclear scan
• Other tests like Electrical system (electrophysiological) testing and mapping, Coronary catheterization (angiogram), Ejection fraction testing.

Cardiac Arrest Treatment

Cardiac Arrest prevention is the first step to treating it. When one experiences any symptoms, it is imperative that immediate Cardiac arrest treatment is given by the best cardiac surgeons for survival

• CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is critical to treating sudden cardiac arrest.
• Defibrillation.
• Long-term treatment of medications, implantation of cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and surgery like coronary angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery, radiofrequency catheter ablation or corrective heart surgery.

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