Definition
Cardiac arrest means the heart
suddenly stops pumping. When the heart stops, the victim will also stop
breathing resulting in sudden death.
Sudden cardiac arrest may occur as
a complication of a heart attack, most commonly within 1 to 2 hours after the
beginning of a heart attack. This may be the first sign of coronary artery
disease without any other symptoms of heart attack.
Common causes of sudden death are
listed below:
·
Ventricular Fibrillation
·
Stroke
·
Accidental electric shock
·
Drowning
·
Suffocation
·
Drug overdose
·
Trauma
·
Severe allergic reactions
Signs and Symptoms
·
Victim is unresponsive
·
Absence of breathing
·
Absence of circulation
Treatment
·
Begin CPR immediately.
·
Get first aid equipment e.g. Air-Viva
resuscitator, oxygen cylinder and AED if available. Early CPR and early
defibrillation increases the victim’s chance of survival.