ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Cardiac arrest

What is cardiac arrest?

9 April 2021

It is when the heart stops beating unexpectedly and suddenly due to a problem with its electrical system, causing the blood to stop and no longer transport oxygen and nutrients to the body. So if you don’t act on time, the person can die. It affects any individual regardless of age, gender, and race, with or without heart conditions.

Signs and symptoms Cardiac arrest

  • Chest pain or discomfort.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Weakness.
  • Palpitations.
  • Tachycardia or arrhythmia.
  • Feeling light-headed or dizzy.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Loss of consciousness.

Go immediately to the ABC Emergency Room if you have any of these symptoms: Your life is at risk! 

Prevention:

Although cardiac arrest occurs suddenly, you can help your body by adopting healthy habits such as:

  • Keeping a balanced diet.
  • Exercising regularly.
  • Monitoring your glucose level.
  • Lowering your cholesterol
  • Maintaining optimal body weight.
  • Limiting coffee and alcohol intake.
  • Not smoking.
  • Reducing stress.

Diagnosis and treatment Cardiac arrest

It is impossible to diagnose since it happens suddenly and without warning. However, there are several tests that help determine if you are at risk of cardiac arrest. Your doctor will tell you which ones are necessary based on your medical history, family history, and symptoms, to assess your heart’s health.

When the heart stops, act immediately by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or use a defibrillator until emergency services arrive.

Post-cardiac arrest care includes medication, an implantable device, and other procedures to keep your heart healthy.

At the Cardiovascular Center we offer you a wide range of prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up services to take care of you through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary care model. Come to us, we want to hear your heart.

Fuentes: 

  • sociedad española de cardiología
  • fundación mexicana del corazón
  • texasheart.org
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medigraphic.org
  • Drajer S. Papel de los sistemas de emergencia médica en la muerte súbita. CorSalud. 2017;9(4):227-228.
  • Giner BJ, Izquierdo MI, Zorio GE. Unidad de Valoración del Riesgo de Muerte Súbita Familiar: Experiencia en la Comunidad Valenciana. CorSalud. 2017;9(4):269-273.
  • Luis Ochoa MA, González LM, Tamayo VND, et al. Muerte súbita cardíaca. Comportamiento en las áreas de salud municipio Arroyo Naranjo. Ciudad de la Habana 2000-2004 . Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas. 2012;11(1):.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.
    Sources
    • sociedad española de cardiología
      | fundación mexicana del corazón
      | texasheart.org
      | mayoclinic.org
      | medigraphic.org
      | Drajer S. Papel de los sistemas de emergencia médica en la muerte súbita. CorSalud. 2017;9(4):227-228.
      | Giner BJ, Izquierdo MI, Zorio GE. Unidad de Valoración del Riesgo de Muerte Súbita Familiar: Experiencia en la Comunidad Valenciana. CorSalud. 2017;9(4):269-273.
      | Luis Ochoa MA, González LM, Tamayo VND, et al. Muerte súbita cardíaca. Comportamiento en las áreas de salud municipio Arroyo Naranjo. Ciudad de la Habana 2000-2004 . Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas. 2012;11(1):.