Cardiac Arrest (Sudden Cardiac Death)



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.