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Cardiac Arrest - Cardiac Arrest symptom, treatment, causes


Cardiac Arrest can be explained as the halting of the pumping of the heart because the contractions of its muscular walls suddenly stop. The most common cause of cardiac arrest is heart attack. Less common causes include suffocation, electrocution, hypothermia (excessive chilling of the body). Anaphyliaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction), severe haemorrhage, an overdosage of certain drugs, and some kinds of poisoning. Cardiac arrest causes sudden collapse and loss of consciousness. Breathing stops and no pulse can be felt. If cardiac arrest is suspected, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately and summon emergency medical aid.

A cardiac arrest, or circulatory arrest, is the abrupt stop of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively during systole. Cardiac arrest is the sudden, abrupt loss of heart function. The victim may or may not have diagnosed heart disease. It's also called sudden cardiac arrest or unexpected cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest usually results from a severely abnormal heart rhythm that interferes with the pumping action of your heart and causes the immediate cessation of blood flow from the heart to the rest of your body. Sometimes a person can be revived during the first several minutes after suffering cardiac arrest. However, the more time that passes, the less likely it is that the person can be revived and, if revived, the more likely it is that he will have brain damage. In children, cardiac arrest is typically caused by hypoxia from other causes such as near- drowning.With prompt treatment survival rates are high. The effective treatment of cardiac arrest during pregnancy requires a complete understanding of the physiologic changes seen in the parturient.

Causes of Cardiac arrest

The common causes and risk factor's of Cardiac arrest include the following:

  • The immediate cause of sudden cardiac arrest is usually an abnormality in your heart rhythm (arrhythmia), the result of a malfunction in your heart's electrical system.
  • Choking or drowning.
  • In children, cardiac arrest is typically caused by hypoxia from other causes such as near- drowning.
  • Respiratory arrest.
  • Congenital heart disease.
  • Extensive blood loss.
  • Improperly functioning heart valves.

Symptoms of Cardiac arrest

Some sign and symptoms related to Cardiac arrest are as follows:

  • Sudden collapse.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Dizziness and chest pain.
  • Weakness.
  • Pounding in the chest.
  • Feeling faint.

Treatment of Cardiac arrest

Here is list of the methods to treat Cardiac arrest:

  • Sudden cardiac arrest requires immediate treatment with a defibrillator, a device that sends an electrical shock to the heart.
  • Eat a balanced diet low in saturated fat and high in nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. Some evidence suggests that eating seafood regularly can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death.
  • In many situations in the UK and USA, lay people are trained in the use of an automated external defibrillator , which analyzes the heart rhythm and delivers a controlled electric shock to the heart if indicated.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • CPR and rapid transfer to the appropriate medical facility.

 

Cardiac Arrest - Cardiac Arrest symptom, treatment, causes

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