Causes of Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest is primarily triggered by arrhythmias, which disrupt the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body due to disturbances in its electrical activity. Several factors increase the risk of experiencing cardiac arrest, including the following:
- Congenital Heart Defects: Individuals born with congenital heart defects are at a heightened risk of cardiac arrest, regardless of whether surgical interventions have been performed to correct the issues.
- Marfan Syndrome: This genetic condition can lead to the dilation and weakening of certain parts of the heart.
- Long QT Syndrome and Brugada Syndrome: These syndromes are known to cause irregular heartbeats.
- Cardiomyopathy: This condition weakens the heart due to thickening and enlargement of the heart muscle.
- Coronary Artery Disease: This is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in individuals over the age of 35.
- Other Factors: Women over the age of 55 and men over the age of 45 have an elevated risk of cardiac arrest. A family history of sudden cardiac arrest or heart disease, along with a prior heart attack or cardiac arrest, also increases susceptibility to this condition.
Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest
The symptoms of cardiac arrest are typically sudden and severe. Some of the key symptoms include:
- Loss of consciousness.
- Inability to breathe.
- Absence of pulse.
- Sudden collapse.
In addition, certain warning signs may appear prior to an impending cardiac arrest, including:
- General weakness.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest discomfort or pain.
Distinguishing Between Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack
Many people mistakenly believe that cardiac arrest and heart attack refer to the same condition; however, they are distinct phenomena. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops beating, primarily due to issues with the heart’s electrical activity. In contrast, a heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is obstructed, signaling a problem related to the circulatory system.