Sudden cardiac arrest

Updated: 2024-10-30

Description

The sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heartbeat.

Overview

Sudden cardiac arrest is the sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heartbeat. It is a medical emergency. Breathing stops. The person is not conscious. The condition is not the same as a heart attack.

Symptoms

Symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest are immediate and extreme. They include collapse, no breathing, no pulse and loss of consciousness. Some people have chest pain, weakness and shortness of breath before the heart stops.

Treatments

Emergency treatment for sudden cardiac arrest includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shocks to the heart with an automated external defibrillator (AED). Other treatments may include medicines, a heart procedure and heart surgery.