Cardiac arrest is when a person experiences a sudden loss of functions in the heart that is independent of whether they have heart problems or not, it can come as a surprise to most. It can occur spontaneously or as a result of other symptoms.
When the heart’s electrical system fails, it causes cardiac arrest. The heart ceases to beat normally and the heart’s pumping function has been “arrested,” or halted resulting in cardiac arrest.
Arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms, can cause cardiac arrest. Ventricular fibrillation is a common arrhythmia associated with cardiac arrest. In ventricular fibrillation, the lower chambers of the heart begin to beat erratically and stop pumping blood.
When the heart stops beating, the lack of oxygen-rich blood in the body can result in death or permanent brain damage within minutes. If proper steps are not taken immediately after a cardiac arrest, it can turn out to be fatal faster than you think.
Cardiac arrest can be reversed if Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is performed and a defibrillator shocks the heart, restoring normal heart rhythm in a matter of minutes.
There are various hospitals across India that offer specialized treatment and care for heart conditions. One can get such heart ailments treated in the best cardiac treatment hospital in Bangalore.
Symptoms
Cardiac arrest most often occurs without warning. The signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest are instantaneous and severe, and they include:
- Pain in the chest
- Unexpected collapse
- Lack of pulse
- Breathlessness
- Unexplained wheezing
- Irregular heartbeats
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Loss of consciousness
- Weakness and shortness of breath
- Palpitations, fluttering or pounding heart.
When the patient suffers from a sudden cardiac arrest, the reduced blood flow to the brain causes unconsciousness. If the heart rhythm does not quickly return to normal, brain damage occurs and eventually leads to death.
Hence, it is crucial to seek medical help ASAP. There are various multispeciality hospitals in the city that offer the best treatment. In Bangalore, the patients can be treated in the best cardiac treatment hospital in Bangalore
Heart conditions that can eventually lead to a sudden cardiac arrest
The majority of cardiac arrests occur when the electrical system of a diseased heart fails. This defect results in an abnormal heart rhythm, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Some cardiac arrests are also caused by bradycardia wherein the heart rhythm slows abnormally. Almost any known heart condition can result in cardiac arrest and this includes
- Scarring of cardiac tissue
- Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries
- Heart attack
- Cardiomyopathy or heart muscle thickening
- Heart medications
- Abnormalities in blood vessels
- Congenital heart disease or heart defects at birth
- Heart valve leakage or narrowing
- Defects in Heart’s electrical system
Who is at risk?
Since a cardiac arrest is frequently associated with coronary artery disease, the same risk factors that put you at risk of coronary artery disease can also put you at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. These are some examples:
- A previous cardiac arrest episode or a family history of cardiac arrest
- An earlier heart attack
- history of other types of heart disease, such as congenital heart defects, heart rhythm disorders, heart failure, or cardiomyopathy.
- Smoking
- Aging increases the risk of sudden cardiac arrest
- A history of coronary artery disease in one’s family
- Blood pressure that is too high
- High levels of cholesterol in the blood
- Obesity or Diabetes
- Use of recreational drugs
- Malnourishment
- Sleep apnea (obstructive sleep apnea)
- An inactive and sedentary lifestyle
The bottom line
Get regular checkups, get screened for heart disease, and live a healthy lifestyle to lower the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
