Cardiac arrest is different from the heart attack or myocardial infarction, where the blood flow to the heart is decreased.

In cardiac arrest the blood circulation prevents the delivery of oxygen to all the parts of the body. It causes less blood supply and oxygen to the brain leading to unconsciousness and also leads to stoppage of breathing as well. It is a medical emergency. In the person dies due to cardiac arrest it is called sudden cardiac death.

Causes

• Cardiac diseases like coronary artery disease
• Circulatory shock
• Non cardiac diseases like pulmonary embolism, GI hemorrhage, trauma, ventilator failure.
• Metabolic disturbances like drug over dosage
• Trauma
• Poisoning
• Respiratory disorders like airway obstruction, smoke inhalation
• Drowning
• Sudden infant death syndrome.

 Risk factors of cardiac arrest

• Previous heart attacks
• Coronary artery disease
• Abnormal heart rate or rhythm, arrhythmias
• Rapid heart rate, tachycardia.
• Syncope
• Low ejection fraction

 Signs and symptoms

• Rapid shallow breathing
• Low blood pressure
• Apnea
• Decrease in mental alertness
• Loss of consciousness
• Absence of pulse
• Low blood pressure
• Collapse

 Tests and diagnosis

• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram
• Holter monitoring
• Electrophysiological studies

 Treatment:

• Medications like ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiarrhyhmics to treat the condition.
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillators
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Catheter ablation

 Prevention of cardiac arrest

• By living a heart healthy life by exercising regularly, eating healthy foods.
• Maintenance of weight
• Treating and monitoring disease and conditions which causes heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
• Treating abnormal heart rhythms