Cardiac arrest, sometimes called sudden cardiac arrest, means that your heart suddenly stops beating. This cuts off blood flow to the brain and other organs. This is an emergency and is fatal if not treated immediately. So immediately go to the nearest hospital or call the emergency room.

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms

Cardiac arrest is rapid and severe: You collapse suddenly, lose consciousness, have no pulse, and are not breathing. Just before this happens, you may be very tired, dizzy, sluggish, short of breath, or feel nauseous. You may faint or have chest pain. But not always. Cardiac arrest can happen without any warning signs.

Related to Heart Disease

Many people with cardiac arrest also have coronary artery disease. Most of the time, the problem starts here. Having coronary artery disease means less blood flow to your heart. This can lead to a heart attack that damages your heart's electrical system.

Other Causes of Cardiac Arrest

• Major blood loss or severe lack of oxygen
• Do intense exercise if you have heart problems
• Very high potassium or magnesium levels, which can lead to a fatal heart rhythm
• your genes. You may inherit some arrhythmias or a tendency to get them.
• Changes in the structure of your heart. For example, an enlarged heart or changes caused by an infection.

Cardiac Arrest Risk

The risk of cardiac arrest is greater in the following situations.

• If you have coronary artery disease.
• Are you male?
• If you have had arrhythmia or cardiac arrest, or someone in your family.
• Smoking or abusing drugs or alcohol.
• You have had one or more heart attacks.
• Your diabetes, high blood pressure or heart. If you have a defect
• Are you obese?

Cardiac Arrest Is Not A Heart Attack!

Unlike cardiac arrest, your heart doesn't usually stop during a heart attack. Conversely, in a heart attack, blood flow is blocked, so your heart can't get enough oxygen. This can kill part of the heart muscle. But the two are linked: The scar tissue that grows when you recover from a heart attack can disrupt the heart's electrical signals and put you at risk. And the heart attack itself can sometimes trigger cardiac arrest.

What You Can Do to Prevent Cardiac Arrest

Watch what you eat. You should get plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein.

Get down to a healthy weight. If you're not sure how, ask your doctor.

Manage stress so it doesn't get out of control.

Exercise 150 minutes a week when your doctor says it's okay, and don't sit still for too long.

Quit smoking. It is an important cause of heart disease that can lead to cardiac arrest.