What Causes A Cardiac Arrest?

When your heart stops pumping blood around the body, it can lead to cardiac arrest. There are various reasons for it, and some lifestyle changes to protect your heart.

Cardiac arrest is a sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, causing the heart to stop pumping blood to organs. When these organs, such as the brain, are deprived of blood flow, it can lead to loss of consciousness, abnormal breathing and various other problems, if not treated immediately. It usually occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions causing an abnormal heart rhythm: arrhythmia. Oftentimes cardiac arrest is confused for a heart attack, but they are not the same. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to heart is stopped, possibly due to a blockage in the artery. The subsequent loss of blood and oxygen to the heart can damage it and lead to a disruption in the signals the heart sends out—this can lead to cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to prevent serious complications or death.

There are several causes of cardiac arrest, including:

Arrhythmia: An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Some arrhythmias can cause the heart to stop beating altogether, leading to cardiac arrest. One type of arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation, which is also one of the most common causes of cardiac arrest. It indicates a rapid heartbeat in the heart’s ventricle, causing the heart to tremble as opposed to its regular pumping.

Cardiomyopathy: A disorder of the heart muscle is known as cardiomyopathy, and it can cause cardiac arrest by disturbing the heart rhythm. Cardiomyopathies include high blood pressure, excess alcohol consumption, heart valve disease and other causes.

Coronary artery disease: Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart become narrowed or blocked by plaque, restricting blood flow. This can lead to a heart attack, which can cause the heart to stop beating or beat irregularly. 

Heart failure: Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. This can cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs, which can make it difficult to breathe and increase the risk of cardiac arrest.

Congenital heart disease: Congenital heart disease is a type of heart defect that is present at birth—it usually develops in the womb. Some types of congenital heart disease can increase the risk of cardiac arrest, particularly if they affect the heart’s electrical system.

Electrolyte imbalances: Electrolytes are minerals in the body that help to regulate the heart’s electrical system. An imbalance in electrolytes, such as potassium, magnesium, or calcium, can disrupt the heart’s electrical system and cause cardiac arrest.

Drug overdose: Certain drugs and stimulants can affect the heart’s electrical system and increase the risk of cardiac arrest. 

Trauma: Trauma to the chest or heart, such as a blunt force injury or penetrating wound, can disrupt the heart’s electrical system and cause cardiac arrest.

Other medical conditions: There are various medical conditions and even medications that can increase one’s risk of cardiac arrest. It’s important to be aware of one’s risk factors, and discuss the treatment options with your healthcare provider.

In many cases, cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and without warning. However, there are some warning signs that may indicate an increased risk of cardiac arrest, including chest pain or discomfort, palpitations, nausea, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or dizziness, and fainting. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

There are various ways to protect your heart: eating a diet that is heart-healthy, exercising regularly, tackling stress, losing weight if required, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption. 

At Seva At Home, we produce a wealth of free health information to help individuals and families live healthier, happier lives. This has been produced by independent research carried out by the Seva At Home team. This information is not a replacement for medical advice. Please consult your physician for relevant medical diagnosis and advice.

To learn more about our healthcare services in India, contact our caregiving team today at +1 (603) 718-4828 if you are based in North America, or at 1800-120-800-003 if you are based in India.