Cardiac arrest is a terrifying reality and there is no way to get around it.It can strike without warning and kill in less than 10 minutes, and it can be fatal at least 90% of the time.It strikes over 350,000 Americans each year, including elderly women, middle aged men, and seemingly healthy teens.It is important to know that there are often identifiable risk factors, occasionally warning signs of an impending episode, and always steps you can take to help someone who is having a cardiac arrest.
Step 1: Know the signs of cardiac arrest.
You won't be able to do anything for yourself if you experience cardiac arrest.Everyone is prepared to act immediately if you share the signs of an ongoing cardiac arrest episode with them.Cardiac arrest can cause someone to collapse and become unresponsive.She won't respond to taps on the shoulder or verbal commands.With some shallow gasping for air, pulse and breathing will be non-existent.Brain damage can begin almost immediately, and death can occur within a few minutes.
Step 2: Do you know what to do if you witness a cardiac arrest alone?
Every second counts when it comes to cardiac arrest.If you notice someone collapsing and other signs of cardiac arrest, you must act immediately if you want to save that person's life.Everyone can be a lifesaver.If you are alone with the person, you should call the emergency services number and use an automatic external defibrillator if one is close by.Continue until emergency help arrives.
Step 3: If you see a cardiac arrest, take charge of the group.
If you see a person in a crowd collapse from a suspected cardiac arrest, and someone who is clearly knowledgeable doesn't immediately take charge, act forcefully.Give specific people clear roles and begin life-saving procedures on the victim.Don't be timid, quiet, or polite now.When there are other people around, take charge, assign roles clearly, start "hands-only"CPR immediately, and stop doing compressions with another available person once you tire.Continue compressions until help arrives.
Step 4: Know the risk factors for sudden death.
Half of people who experience cardiac arrest have no warning signs.Most of the people have identifiable risk factors for the condition.You need to know if you are at an elevated risk for cardiac arrest.Cardiac arrest is similar to a heart attack in that it shares many of the same risk factors.Men are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack if they use illegal drugs.
Step 5: Look for warning signs of cardiac arrest.
Half of people who suffer cardiac arrest have no symptoms at all.The problem is that the symptoms can be vague, mild, and often ignored as indigestion, the flu, or something else.If you are at an elevated risk for cardiac arrest, do not downplay or ignore the symptoms.It is possible to see warning signs of a cardiac arrest up to a month in advance.They can include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, wheezing, lightheadedness, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms.
Step 6: Seek help from a doctor.
If you are at an elevated risk for cardiac arrest and are experiencing any of the "warning sign" symptoms, contact emergency services immediately.If you experience them frequently and are at elevated risk, you should contact your doctor and emergency services.If you're not at elevated risk for cardiac arrest but are experiencing warning signs, you should talk to your doctor.You assume cardiac arrest can't happen to you if you ignore the signs.It's a good idea to conduct a risk assessment with your doctor if you don't have any symptoms or obvious risk factors.
Step 7: Cardiac arrest and a heart attack are not related.
Both conditions can be deadly, but they have different causes.A heart attack is caused by a blocked blood flow to the heart.A malfunction of the heart's electrical system that regulates the heartbeat is what causes cardiac arrest.A heart attack is similar to a malfunctioning garbage disposal that stops food from moving through it.By blocking blood flow, a heart attack can cause cardiac arrest, but not always.Cardiac arrest won't cause a heart attack because the heart muscle is already stopped.Cardiac arrest is always life-threatening and can be mild to severe.
Step 8: Accept that the statistics are bad.
Cardiac arrest numbers are not pretty.Cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting is more likely to be fatal than inside, and about half of the time it occurs with no warning.Over 300,000 Americans die from such episodes each year.A lack of oxygenated blood flow can affect the brain immediately after a cardiac arrest.It is possible for brain damage to occur within seconds.If cardiopulmonary intervention is not used, death can occur within four to six minutes.The measures improve survival odds.Cardiac arrest can be caused by a heart attack, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, electrical problems in the heart, or a congenital heart defect.Cardiac arrest is the most common cause of death among children and young adults.
Step 9: Knowing that warning signs are important will help you identify them.
The survival rate increases substantially when recognizable symptoms occur hours to weeks before cardiac arrest.If you are at an elevated risk for cardiac arrest, do not ignore the warning signs.According to the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study, only 19% of people who experienced symptoms prior to a cardiac arrest sought medical attention.The survival rate for those who did not seek medical attention was 6%.The survival rate for those who did seek medical attention was 32%.20% of the group had a cardiac arrest in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
Step 10: Do not panic and be proactive.
If you don't have any elevated risk factors, your chances of experiencing cardiac arrest are low.It is more likely that you will have the chance to help someone else who is having a cardiac arrest, so learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation and share your knowledge with others.Many of the causes of cardiac arrest can be reduced by living a healthier lifestyle, such as eating properly, exercising regularly, not smoking, getting enough sleep, drinking in moderation, and reducing stress.Discuss your risk for heart problems with your doctor.High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other aspects of heart health can be addressed with medication.If you survive a cardiac arrest episode, you may be able to have an internal defibrillated in your chest.If another episode occurs, this device can shock your heart back into rhythm.