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Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency where the heart stops pumping blood, leading to brain death within minutes. Treatment involves CPR and defibrillation, and preventive care includes a healthy lifestyle and managing underlying heart conditions. First aid training is crucial as immediate treatment is essential.
Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency in which the heart stops pumping and blood doesn’t circulate through the body. If the patient does not receive immediate treatment, brain death can occur within four to six minutes. Many cases of cardiac arrest are treatable, although the patient will need additional care once stabilized. Treatment involves cardiopulmonary resuscitation to support the patient’s circulatory system, followed by defibrillation or the application of an electrical impulse to restart the heart if the heart enters a shockable rhythm.
Patients usually develop this condition due to an underlying disease, although it can also be the result of sudden trauma or electric shock. The patient may report pain and discomfort in the chest and when the heart stops beating the patient quickly slips into unconsciousness because the circulatory system is no longer carrying oxygen. Patients in cardiac arrest have no palpable pulse and are not breathing.
Immediate treatment involves chest compressions to pump the heart, forcing blood to circulate. Additionally, the patient needs rescue breathing, in which a healthcare professional will force air into the lungs to promote oxygenation. A doctor can evaluate the patient to determine whether defibrillation would be an effective treatment. A carefully placed electrical impulse can bring the heart into a normal rhythm and it will start beating again. Usually the patient needs additional supportive care such as oxygen and supplemental fluids to aid in recovery.
This condition can come on very suddenly, sometimes without any obvious warning. Since cardiac arrest can lead to clinical death within minutes, first aid is essential. Bystanders should call 911 for assistance, but should also be prepared to provide medical assistance on their own, because trained medical professionals are unlikely to be able to reach the patient in time unless they are among bystanders. Basic first aid training includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and some facilities have automated defibrillation devices that first aid providers can use; the device will evaluate the heart rhythm and notify the operator when a shock is indicated.
Preventive care to limit the chance of heart problems may include a diet and exercise plan to promote heart health, along with treatment for underlying heart conditions. Patients with unstable heart rhythms may need to take medications or use an implanted device to manage their heart rhythm. Older adults and others at increased risk of cardiac arrest may be able to take additional steps to monitor their health and keep their hearts as healthy as possible.
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