CARDIAC ARREST

General Information

DEFINITION--Total loss of heart-pumping action. Delay of treatment for only 3 to 5 minutes may cause death or permanent brain damage.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Heart.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--More common in men until age 45, then the incidence is equal in men and women.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Brief dizziness, followed by fainting and unconsciousness.
• No pulse. No breathing.
• Bluish-white skin. Dilated pupils.
• Seizures.
• Loss of bowel and bladder control (sometimes).
• Simple fainting may resemble cardiac arrest, but pulse and breathing continue.

CAUSES

• Heartbeat irregularities.
• Heart attack (myocardial infarction).
• Atherosclerotic heart disease.
• Lack of blood circulation and profound shock caused by a hemorrhage or overwhelming infection.
• Loss of oxygen from drowning, choking or anesthesia.
• Major changes in the blood's electrolyte composition, as with a potassium or fluid imbalance.
• Anaphylactic shock.
• Drug overdose.

RISK INCREASES WITH

Stress. Diabetes mellitus. > Use of drugs, such as:

Digitalis. Even a minor excess of this powerful drug can disturb heart rhythm. Diuretics. These can cause low potassium in the blood. Adrenalin or any drug that raises blood pressure in a heart patient, including cold capsules, decongestant tablets and nasal sprays.

• Using drugs of abuse, especially cocaine.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Obtain immediate medical treatment for any conditions listed as Causes. Refer to appropriate chart in Illness section.
• If you have heart disease, learn all you can about all the drugs you take, including non-prescription drugs.
• Have family members and close friends learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES----Your observation of symptoms. See Signs & Symptoms. Once the patient is in the hospital, an ECG (See Glossary) will confirm the diagnosis.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE--Emergency care by others present when cardiac arrest occurs.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Death or permanent brain damage if heart action cannot be resumed in 3 to 5 minutes.
• Mistaking a faint or other causes of unconsciousness for cardiac arrest. Check for a neck pulse before starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Bystanders skilled in recognizing cardiac arrest and performing CPR can often restore heartbeat. The final outcome, however, depends on the underlying cause of the cardiac arrest. The victim must be taken to the nearest emergency facility as soon as the heartbeat is restored. Cardiac arrest may recur.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Learn CPR. Call your local Red Cross or hospital for information. You may save a life.
• If you have heart trouble, or are at risk, wear a Medic-Alert bracelet or pendant (See Glossary).

MEDICATION--Administer oxygen, if available, after CPR has restored a heartbeat. (Emergency oxygen may be available in welder's shops.) The doctor may later prescribe medications to treat the underlying cause of cardiac arrest.

ACTIVITY--After recovery, activities should be resumed gradually. Sexual relations may be resumed only after medical clearance from the doctor.

DIET--Don't give fluid or foods to anyone with signs of cardiac arrest. He or she could choke.

Call Your Doctor If

The victim is unconscious and not breathing:

• Yell for help. Don't leave the victim.
• Call 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or medical help.
• Begin mouth-to-mouth breathing immediately.
• If there is no heartbeat, give external cardiac massage.
• Don't stop CPR until help arrives.