cardiac arrest

cardiac arrest, sudden loss of heart function, in which the regular contraction of the heart muscle unexpectedly stops, resulting in a loss of blood flow to vital organs. Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. It is fatal in the vast majority of cases and is a significant cause of death worldwide.

Cardiac arrest occurs as a result of an electrical anomaly in the heart. It typically is associated with coronary artery disease or with an underlying arrhythmia, or irregularity in heartbeat. The most common type of arrhythmia linked to cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation. Cardiac arrest may also occur as a result of intense exercise (primarily in persons with heart disease), excess potassium levels, enlarged heart (e.g., due to infection), and sudden loss of blood or oxygen.

Prior to cardiac arrest, the individual may feel dizzy, tired, or weak. Shortness of breath, nausea, or chest pain may be present. In many instances, however, such warning signs are absent, and the condition is noticed only when the affected person loses consciousness and collapses. Loss of breathing and absence of pulse are other indications of cardiac arrest.

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Emergency treatment for cardiac arrest involves cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation, which is central to the successful restoration of heart rhythm during cardiac arrest.