Cardiac Arrest

“A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood around your body. Although it’s sometimes mistaken for a heart attack, a cardiac arrest is different”.1

Umbrella
What may the Cardiac Arrest Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

Definition

What is a cardiac arrest?

DotS the definition of a cardiac arrest may vary. The British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) definition is:

“A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood around your body. Although it’s sometimes mistaken for a heart attack, a cardiac arrest is different”.2

The American Heart Association’s (AHA) definition is:

“Cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. It can come on suddenly or in the wake of other symptoms”.3

Cardiac Arrest or Heart Attack

Is a cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack?

No. In Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Differences the AHA elaborate on:

“People often use these terms interchangeably, but they’re not the same. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a “circulation” problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem”.4

Cause

What causes a cardiac arrest?

In About Cardiac Arrest: Is A Heart Attack the Same As Cardiac Arrest? the AHA explain:

“A cardiac arrest is caused by a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), which happens when the electrical system in the heart isn’t working properly. Not all abnormal heart rhythms are life-threatening, but some mean that the heart cannot pump blood around the body”.5

In Cardiac Arrest: What Causes A Cardiac Arrest? the BHF note:

“A cardiac arrest is caused by a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), which happens when the electrical system in the heart isn’t working properly. Not all abnormal heart rhythms are life-threatening, but some mean that the heart cannot pump blood around the body”.6

Ventricular Fibrillation

What is ventricular fibrillation (VF)?

In Cardiac Arrest: What Causes A Cardiac Arrest? the BHF also elaborate on:

“Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is an example of a dangerous heart rhythm that can lead to a cardiac arrest. This is when the heart quivers or ‘fibrillates’ instead of pumps. Common arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation aren’t life-threatening although they cause irregular, fast heart rhythms”.7

Cardiac ArrestHealth Care Provider

What if I think I could be at risk for a cardiac arrest?

If you think you could be at risk for a cardiac arrest, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

Health Topics A-Z

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Health Topics A-Z

Links

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New or Updated

  1. About Cardiac Arrest
  2. About Cardiac Arrest: Is A Heart Attack the Same As Cardiac Arrest?
  3. Arrhythmia
  4. Arrhythmia
  5. Arrhythmias
  6. Atrial Fibrillation
  7. Cardiac Ablation
  8. Cardiac Arrest
  9. Cardiac Arrest
  10. Cardiac Arrest
  11. Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
  12. Cardiac Arrest [+ Video: What is a cardiac arrest?]
  13. Cardiac Arrest: What’s the Difference Between A Cardiac Arrest and A Heart Attack? [+ Video]
  14. Causes of Cardiac Arrest
  15. Common Myths About Heart Disease
  16. Communicating With Professionals
  17. Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms: Warnings Signs of Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest
  18. Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Differences
  19. Heart Disease
  20. Heart Disease: It’s Not Just for Men – Questions To Ask Your Doctor
  21. Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life
  22. Know Your Risk
  23. Life’s Essential 8
  24. Listen To Your Heart: Learn About Heart Disease – What Are Your Risk Factors for Heart Disease?
  25. Mayo Clinic Minute: Signs of Coronary Artery Disease, How To Reduce Your Risk [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  26. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Don’t Miss A Beat With Preventive Heart Care [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  27. Sudden Cardiac Arrest
  28. Sca-aware.org [Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, United States]
  29. The Connection Between Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risks
  30. Ventricular Fibrillation
  31. Ventricular Fibrillation
  32. Video Series-2021: What You Need to Know About the #1 Cause of Death in Women
  33. Webinars: Previous – The Heart of the Matter
  34. What Is CPR? [Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation]
  35. What Is Cardiac Arrest?
  36. What Is Cardiac Arrest? A Mayo Clinic Heart Expert Explains
  37. Women With A Heart Condition

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Cardiac Arrest. Page Last Updated: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 27 April 2023
  2. Cardiac Arrest. Page Last Updated: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 27 April 2023
  3. About Cardiac Arrest: What Is Cardiac Arrest? Last Reviewed: 29 January 2021. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/about-cardiac-arrest#.WgN3WTprypo Accessed: 27 April 2023
  4. Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Differences. Last Reviewed: 02 December 2022. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks/heart-attack-or-sudden-cardiac-arrest-how-are-they-different#.WgN4vnZx2po Accessed: 27 April 2023
  5. About Cardiac Arrest: Is A Heart Attack the Same As Cardiac Arrest? Last Reviewed: 29 January 2021. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/CardiacArrest/About-Cardiac-Arrest_UCM_307905_Article.jsp Accessed: 27 April 2023
  6. Cardiac Arrest: What Causes A Cardiac Arrest? Page Last Updated: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 27 April 2023
  7. Cardiac Arrest: What Causes A Cardiac Arrest? Page Last Updated: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 27 April 2023
Topic Last Updated: 27 April 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 27 April 2023

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