RESPONDING TO SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST

drkmh RESPONDING TO SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST

 

If you notice someone clutching their chest or breathing heavily, or if they drop to the floor unconscious, it’s most likely that they have had a sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest as the name suggests, happens quite suddenly giving the person little time to even call for help. However, if you are alert to changes in your body, you just might be able to recognise the signs and help yourself. Timing is everything. The sooner you get help, the better. But first let’s understand what a Cardiac Arrest is.

 

CARDIAC ARREST Vs HEART ATTACK

 

To the layman a heart attack and a cardiac arrest may seem the same. But the truth is that they are very different. The heart is like any other muscle and needs fresh oxygen-rich blood to keep pumping. However, if there is a blockage that does not allow the free flow of blood, that part of the heart begins to die. The heart does not stop beating entirely, but the blockage damages a part of the heart. This is a Heart Attack.

 

In the case of a Cardiac Arrest, an electrical malfunction occurs and shuts down the heart completely. The heart just stops beating. This is what makes a Cardiac Arrest more dire. The heart ceases to function quite abruptly, and blood circulation to the brain also ceases quite abruptly. A delay in treatment by just a few minutes, can cause extensive structural brain damage and/or even death.

 

CAUSES FOR A CARDIAC ARREST

  • – Scarring of the heart tissue
  • – Cardiomyopathy or thickening of the heart muscle
  • – Electrical Problems in the heart
  • – Coronary Heart Disease
  • – Ventricular Fibrillation
  • – Ventricular Tachycardia

Other causes include:

  • – Excessive Alcohol Abuse
  • – Choking
  • – Drowning
  • – Electrocution
  • – Hypothermia
  • – Recreational Drug Usage
  • – Certain Heart Medications
  • – Dramatic/ Sudden drop in blood pressure

CARDIAC ARREST – PROGNOSIS

 

Patient Survival depends on:

  • – Duration of the Cardiac Arrest. The shorter the duration before he/she receives CPR the better are his/her chances for survival because the extent of tissue and organ damage will be less.
  • – Underlying medical cause that caused the Cardiac Arrest. If an arrhythmia or some other heart condition had triggered the cardiac arrest, that may improve or bring down chances of survival.
  • – Patient specific attributes such as lifestyle habits (smoking, drinking), other medical conditions or infections, age, and gender.

CARDIAC ARREST SYMPTOMS

 

A cardiac arrest comes on quite unexpectedly that the individual may not have time to react in the best way. However, since time is of essence, one must be aware of symptoms such as:

  • – Chest pain
  • – Sudden breathlessness
  • – Dizziness
  • – Seizures in the limbs
  • – Feeling Nauseous

He/she needs medical attention for these symptoms immediately.

 

CARDIAC ARREST TREATMENT AT HOME OR ANYWHERE OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL

 

If you notice someone clutching their chest or breathing heavily, or if they drop to the floor unconscious, it’s most likely that they have had a sudden cardiac arrest. Call for an ambulance immediately. In the meantime, you can administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

 

The ABC of CPR are:

A – Airways are opened by tilting back the patient’s head slightly

B – Breathing is checked for by looking/listening for signs of breathing.

C – Circulation is attempted through cardiac compression

 

Cardiac Arrest treatment at the hospital also begins with CPR and defibrillation, if needed.

 

Some of the mentioned symptoms may be caused by other medical conditions as well. But heading to the Emergency Room can make a world of difference if the person should unexpectedly have a sudden cardiac arrest. One must remember that defibrillation is key to managing cardiac arrest. Every minute delayed from defibrillation drastically reduces the person’s chances of survival by 10%.

 

Dr.Ashokkumar Consultant - Cardiology at Dr.Kamakshi Memorial Hospital
Reviewed By:

DR.ASHOKKUMAR

CONSULTANT – CARDIOLOGY

MBBS, MD (MEDICINE), DM (CARDIOLOGY)