Heart diseases

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Heart Arrest

Heart arrest, also known as cardiac arrest, is a sudden loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. The condition usually results from an electrical disturbance in your heart that disrupts its pumping action, stopping blood flow to the rest of your body.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Heart arrest is often caused by a problem in the heart's electrical system. These problems may include arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia. Other conditions that can lead to heart arrest include coronary artery disease, heart attack, or a physical blow to the chest.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of heart arrest are immediate and drastic and may include sudden collapse, no pulse, no breathing, and loss of consciousness. Sometimes, heart arrest is preceded by certain symptoms such as fatigue, fainting, blackouts, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations or vomiting. But heart arrest often occurs with no warning.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Immediate treatment for heart arrest is critical. It includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. Medications such as vasopressors and antiarrhythmics can also be used. In some cases, surgery or implantation of a defibrillator or pacemaker may be necessary.

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Prevention of heart arrest is centered on a healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups to monitor heart health. This includes quitting smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling other health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Cardiovascular disease A-Z

Most common cardiac diseases

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD