Cardiac arrest is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. If this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs.
Cardiac arrest usually causes death if it’s not treated within minutes.
The heart has an electrical system that controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. Problems with the heart’s electrical system can cause irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias.
There are many types of arrhythmias. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
Some arrhythmias can cause the heart to stop pumping blood to the body — these arrhythmias cause cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack occurs if blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. During a heart attack, the heart usually doesn’t suddenly stop beating.
Cardiac arrest may happen after or during recovery from a heart attack.
People who have heart disease are at higher risk for cardiac arrest. However, cardiac arrest can happen in people who appear healthy and have no known heart disease or other risk factors for cardiac arrest.
Most people who have cardiac arrest die from it — often within minutes. Rapid treatment of cardiac arrest with a defibrillator can be lifesaving.
A defibrillator is a device that sends an electric shock to the heart to try to restore its normal rhythm.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be used by bystanders to save the lives of people who are having cardiac arrest.
These portable devices often are found in public places, such as shopping malls, golf courses, businesses, airports, airplanes, casinos, convention centers, hotels, sports venues, and schools.
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