Cardiac Arrest

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:

“Heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest are two different conditions. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a circulation problem. Sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem”.4

Cause

What causes a cardiac arrest?

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

“Cardiac arrest may be caused by irregular heart rhythms called arrhythmias. A common arrhythmia associated with cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation. In ventricular fibrillation, the heart’s lower chambers suddenly start beating chaotically and don’t pump blood”.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

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Cardiac Arrest?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Cardiac Arrest?

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Links

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New or Updated

  1. Arrhythmia
  2. Arrhythmias
  3. Atrial Fibrillation
  4. Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
  5. Cardiac Ablation
  6. Cardiac Arrest
  7. Cardiac Arrest
  8. Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
    Cardiac Arrest
  9. Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack
  10. Causes of Cardiac Arrest
  11. Common Myths About Heart Disease
  12. Communicating With Professionals
  13. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Menopause and Heart Disease
  14. February Is American Heart Month
  15. Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms: Warnings Signs of Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest
  16. Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Differences
  17. Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest – Know the Difference
  18. Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest: What’s the Difference?
  19. Heart Attack: About Heart Attack, Symptoms, Risk and Recovery
  20. Heart Disease: About Atrial Fibrillation
  21. Heart Disease: About Cardiac Arrest
  22. Heart Disease: About Heart Disease
  23. Heart Disease: For Everyone
  24. Heart Disease: Preventing
  25. How To Do CPR [Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation]
  26. Know Your Numbers
  27. Know Your Risk
  28. Life’s Essential 8
  29. Listen To Your Heart: Learn About Heart Disease – What Are Your Risk Factors for Heart Disease?
  30. Mayo Clinic Minute: Managing Atrial Fibrillation [+ Video]
  31. Mayo Clinic Minute: Menopause and the Heart Connection [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  32. Mayo Clinic Minute: Signs of Coronary Artery Disease, How To Reduce Your Risk [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  33. Mayo Clinic Q and A: What Is Cardiac Arrest?
  34. Sudden Cardiac Arrest
  35. Sudden Cardiac Arrest
  36. Symptoms That May Require A Consultation With A Cardiologist
  37. Sca-aware.org [Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, United States]
  38. The Connection Between Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease Risks
  39. Ventricular Fibrillation
  40. Ventricular Fibrillation
  41. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Cardiovascular Disease In Women
  42. Watch, Learn and Live: Atrial Fibrillation [Interactive]
  43. Webinars: Cardiovascular Disease
  44. Webinars: Recommendations on Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
  45. What Is Cardiac Arrest?
  46. What Is Cardiac Arrest? A Mayo Clinic Heart Expert Explains
  47. What’s the Difference Between A Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest? One’s About Plumbing, the Other Wiring
  48. World Heart Day [29 September]
    Cardiac Arrest
  49. World Menopause Day 2023
  50. World Menopause Day 2023: Patient Information Leaflet – Cardiovascular Disease: What Women Need To Know [Multiply Languages]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Cardiac Arrest. Published: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 04 February 2026
  2. Cardiac Arrest. Published: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 04 February 2026
  3. What Is Cardiac Arrest? What Is Cardiac Arrest? Last Reviewed: 09 December 2025. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/about-cardiac-arrest#.WgN3WTprypo Accessed: 04 February 2026
  4. Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Differences. Last Reviewed: 11 December 2024. 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: 30 November 2025
  5. What Is Cardiac Arrest? Is A Heart Attack the Same As Cardiac Arrest? Last Reviewed: 09 November 2023. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/about-cardiac-arrest Accessed: 30 November 2025
  6. Cardiac Arrest: What Causes A Cardiac Arrest? Published: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 30 November 2025
  7. Cardiac Arrest: What Causes A Cardiac Arrest? Published: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 30 November 2025
Topic Last Updated: 30 November 2025  – Topic Last Reviewed: 30 November 2025

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