Cardiac arrest pulse. Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

What are the symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest. How is sudden cardiac arrest diagnosed. What are the treatment options for sudden cardiac arrest. What steps can be taken to prevent sudden cardiac arrest.

Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest: A Comprehensive Overview

Sudden cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. This condition can strike without warning and requires immediate medical attention. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for sudden cardiac arrest is crucial for improving survival rates and preventing future episodes.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest often occurs with little to no warning. However, some individuals may experience certain symptoms in the moments leading up to the event. These can include:

• Sudden loss of consciousness
• No pulse or breathing
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Fatigue

Is sudden cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack? While often confused, sudden cardiac arrest and heart attacks are different conditions. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, while sudden cardiac arrest is caused by electrical disturbances in the heart that disrupt its normal rhythm.

Diagnosing Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Medical Tests and Procedures

If a person survives sudden cardiac arrest, doctors will perform a series of tests to determine the underlying cause and prevent future episodes. These diagnostic procedures may include:

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An ECG is a non-invasive test that records the heart’s electrical activity. During this procedure, sensors called electrodes are attached to the chest and sometimes the limbs. The ECG can reveal disturbances in heart rhythm or detect abnormal electrical patterns that may increase the risk of sudden death.

Blood Tests

Blood samples are analyzed to check levels of potassium, magnesium, hormones, and other chemicals that can affect heart function. These tests can also detect recent heart injury and heart attacks.

Imaging Tests

Several imaging tests may be used to assess heart function and structure:

• Chest X-ray: Provides information about heart size, shape, and blood vessels
• Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to produce images of the heart
• Nuclear scan: Assesses blood flow to the heart
• Coronary catheterization: Reveals blockages in heart arteries

How does an echocardiogram help in diagnosing sudden cardiac arrest? An echocardiogram can identify areas of the heart damaged by a heart attack, assess pumping capacity, and detect problems with heart valves. It also helps determine the ejection fraction, a crucial predictor of sudden cardiac arrest risk.

Treatment Options for Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Immediate action is crucial for survival in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. Treatment options include:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

CPR is a vital first step in treating sudden cardiac arrest. It maintains oxygen-rich blood flow to vital organs until advanced emergency care is available. If someone collapses unconscious and isn’t breathing normally, begin chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, allowing the chest to fully rise between compressions.

Defibrillation

Defibrillation involves delivering an electrical shock through the chest wall to the heart. This momentarily stops the heart and its chaotic rhythm, often allowing the normal heart rhythm to resume. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are increasingly available in public places and can be used by bystanders to deliver this life-saving treatment.

Why is immediate defibrillation crucial in sudden cardiac arrest? Defibrillation is most effective when performed within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest. Each minute of delay decreases the chances of survival by 7-10%.

Emergency Room Care

Once at the hospital, medical staff will work to stabilize the patient’s condition and treat any underlying causes, such as heart attack, heart failure, or electrolyte imbalances. Medications may be administered to stabilize heart rhythm.

Long-Term Treatment

After recovery, doctors will discuss preventive treatment options to reduce the risk of another cardiac arrest. These may include:

• Medications: Anti-arrhythmic drugs to control heart rhythm
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): A device that monitors heart rhythm and delivers shocks when necessary
• Coronary angioplasty: A procedure to open blocked arteries
• Coronary bypass surgery: Surgery to improve blood flow to the heart
• Radiofrequency catheter ablation: A procedure to destroy areas of heart tissue causing rhythm problems

Risk Factors and Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Several factors can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, including:

• Previous heart attack or heart disease
• Family history of heart disease or sudden cardiac arrest
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Drug or alcohol abuse

How can one reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest? Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle is crucial in preventing sudden cardiac arrest. This includes:

1. Regular exercise
2. Maintaining a healthy diet
3. Quitting smoking
4. Managing stress
5. Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels
6. Regular medical check-ups

The Importance of Cardiac Rehabilitation After Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac rehabilitation is a crucial component of recovery for survivors of sudden cardiac arrest. This supervised program typically includes:

• Exercise training
• Education on heart-healthy living
• Counseling to reduce stress
• Nutritional guidance

How does cardiac rehabilitation benefit sudden cardiac arrest survivors? Cardiac rehabilitation helps improve cardiovascular fitness, reduces the risk of future cardiac events, and enhances overall quality of life. It also provides emotional support and helps patients regain confidence in their physical abilities.

Advancements in Sudden Cardiac Arrest Research and Treatment

Ongoing research continues to improve our understanding and treatment of sudden cardiac arrest. Some recent advancements include:

Wearable Defibrillators

These devices, worn like a vest, continuously monitor heart rhythm and can deliver a shock if needed. They provide protection for patients at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest who are not immediate candidates for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Genetic Testing

Advances in genetic testing are helping identify individuals at higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to inherited heart conditions. This allows for early intervention and preventive measures.

Targeted Temperature Management

This therapy involves cooling a patient’s body temperature after cardiac arrest to reduce brain injury and improve neurological outcomes.

How does targeted temperature management improve outcomes in sudden cardiac arrest? By lowering body temperature, this therapy slows down metabolic processes, reducing the oxygen demand of brain cells and potentially limiting the extent of brain damage following cardiac arrest.

The Role of Public Education in Combating Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Public education plays a crucial role in improving survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest. Key areas of focus include:

• CPR training for the general public
• Increased awareness of AED locations and usage
• Education on recognizing the signs of sudden cardiac arrest
• Promotion of heart-healthy lifestyles

Why is public education crucial in improving sudden cardiac arrest outcomes? By increasing the number of people trained in CPR and familiar with AED use, we can significantly improve the chances of survival for sudden cardiac arrest victims. Early intervention is key, and bystanders often play a critical role in the chain of survival.

In conclusion, sudden cardiac arrest remains a significant health challenge, but advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention offer hope for improved outcomes. By understanding the risk factors, recognizing the symptoms, and taking prompt action, we can work towards reducing the impact of this life-threatening condition. Remember, in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, every second counts, and immediate action can mean the difference between life and death.

Sudden cardiac arrest – Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis

If you survive sudden cardiac arrest, your doctor will try to learn what caused it to help prevent future episodes. Tests your doctor may recommend include:

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

During an ECG, sensors (electrodes) that can detect the electrical activity of your heart are attached to your chest and sometimes to your limbs. An ECG can reveal disturbances in heart rhythm or detect abnormal electrical patterns, such as a prolonged QT interval, that increase your risk of sudden death.

Blood tests

A sample of your blood might be tested to check the levels of potassium, magnesium, hormones and other chemicals that can affect your heart’s ability to function. Other blood tests can detect recent heart injury and heart attacks.

Imaging tests

These might include:

• Chest X-ray. This allows your doctor to check the size and shape of your heart and its blood vessels. It might also show whether you have heart failure.

• Echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to produce an image of your heart. It can help identify whether an area of your heart has been damaged by a heart attack and isn’t pumping hard enough or whether there are problems with your heart valves.

  This test and others, including a nuclear scan, MRI, CT scan and cardiac catheterization, can all determine your heart’s pumping capacity by measuring what’s called the ejection fraction, one of the most important predictors of your risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Ejection fraction refers to the percentage of blood that’s pumped out of a filled ventricle with each heartbeat.

  A normal ejection fraction is 50% to 70%. An ejection fraction of less than 40% increases your risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

• Nuclear scan. This test, usually done with a stress test, helps identify blood flow problems to your heart. Tiny amounts of radioactive material, such as thallium, are injected into your bloodstream. Special cameras can detect the radioactive material as it flows through your heart and lungs.

• Coronary catheterization. During this procedure, a liquid dye is injected into the arteries of your heart through a long, thin tube (catheter) that’s advanced through an artery, usually in your arm, to arteries in your heart. As the dye fills your arteries, the arteries become visible on X-ray and videotape, revealing areas of blockage.

  While the catheter is in position, your doctor may treat a blockage by opening the artery (angioplasty) and inserting a stent to hold the artery open.

More Information

Show more related information

Treatment

Sudden cardiac arrest requires immediate action for survival.

CPR

Immediate CPR is crucial for treating sudden cardiac arrest. By maintaining a flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body’s vital organs, CPR can provide a vital link until more-advanced emergency care is available.

If you don’t know CPR and someone collapses unconscious near you, call 911 or emergency medical help. Then, if the person isn’t breathing normally, begin pushing hard and fast on the person’s chest — at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions a minute, allowing the chest to fully rise between compressions. Do this until an automated external defibrillator (AED) becomes available or emergency personnel arrive.

Defibrillation

Advanced care for ventricular fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia that can cause sudden cardiac arrest, generally includes delivery of an electrical shock through the chest wall to the heart. The procedure, called defibrillation, momentarily stops the heart and the chaotic rhythm. This often allows the normal heart rhythm to resume.

Defibrillators are programmed to recognize ventricular fibrillation and send a shock only when it’s appropriate. These portable defibrillators, such as AEDs, are increasingly available in public places, including airports, shopping malls, casinos, health clubs, and community and senior citizen centers.

At the emergency room

Once you arrive in the emergency room, the medical staff will work to stabilize your condition and treat a possible heart attack, heart failure or electrolyte imbalances. You might be given medications to stabilize your heart rhythm.

Long-term treatment

After you recover, your doctor will discuss with you or your family what other tests might help determine the cause of the cardiac arrest. Your doctor will also discuss preventive treatment options with you to reduce your risk of another cardiac arrest.

Treatments might include:

• Drugs. Doctors use various anti-arrhythmic drugs for emergency or long-term treatment of arrhythmias or potential arrhythmia complications. A class of medications called beta blockers is commonly used in people at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

  Other possible drugs that can be used to treat the condition that led to the arrhythmia include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.

• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). After your condition stabilizes, your doctor is likely to recommend an ICD, a battery-powered unit that’s put into your body near your left collarbone. One or more electrode-tipped wires from the ICD run through veins to your heart.

  The ICD constantly monitors your heart rhythm. If it detects a rhythm that’s too slow, it paces your heart as a pacemaker would. If it detects a dangerous heart rhythm change, it sends out low- or high-energy shocks to reset your heart to a normal rhythm.

• Coronary angioplasty. This procedure opens blocked coronary arteries, letting blood flow more freely to your heart, which might reduce your risk of serious arrhythmia. A long, thin tube is passed through an artery, usually in your leg, to a blocked artery in your heart. This catheter is equipped with a special balloon tip that briefly inflates to open the blocked artery.

  At the same time, a metal mesh stent might be inserted into the artery to keep it open long term, restoring blood flow to your heart. Coronary angioplasty can be done at the same time as a coronary catheterization, a procedure that doctors do to locate narrowed arteries to the heart.

• Coronary bypass surgery. Also called coronary artery bypass grafting, bypass surgery involves sewing veins or arteries in place at a site beyond a blocked or narrowed coronary artery, restoring blood flow to your heart. This can improve the blood supply to your heart and reduce the frequency of racing heartbeats.

• Radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure can be used to block a single abnormal electrical pathway. One or more catheters are threaded through your blood vessels to inside your heart. They’re positioned along electrical pathways identified by your doctor as causing your arrhythmia.

  Electrodes at the catheter tips are heated with radiofrequency energy. This destroys a small spot of heart tissue and creates an electrical block along the pathway that’s causing your arrhythmia to stop your arrhythmia.

• Corrective heart surgery. If you have a congenital heart deformity, a faulty valve or diseased heart muscle tissue due to cardiomyopathy, surgery to correct the abnormality might improve your heart rate and blood flow, reducing your risk of fatal arrhythmias.

More Information

Show more related information

Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To live a heart-healthy lifestyle:

• Don’t smoke.
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation — no more than one drink a day for women and men older than 65 and no more than two drinks a day for younger men.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet.
• Stay physically active.
• Manage stress.

Medication

If you already have heart disease or conditions that make you more vulnerable to heart disease, your doctor might recommend that you take steps to improve your health, such as taking medications for high cholesterol or managing diabetes.

If you have a certain heart conditions that put you at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, your doctor might recommend anti-arrhythmic drugs.

Devices

If you have a known risk of cardiac arrest, your doctor might recommend an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. You might consider purchasing an automated external defibrillator for home use. Discuss this with your doctor. AEDs can be expensive and aren’t always covered by health insurance.

Training

If you live with someone who is at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, it’s important that you be trained in CPR. The American Red Cross and other organizations offer courses in CPR and defibrillator use.

Being trained will help not only your loved one, but your training might help others. The more people know how to respond to a cardiac emergency, the greater the survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest is likely to be.

Nov. 02, 2021

Sudden death in young people: Heart problems often blamed

Sudden death in young people: Heart problems often blamed

Sudden death in young people is rare, but those at risk can take precautions. Find out more about the risk factors, causes and treatments.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Sudden death in people younger than 35, often due to undiscovered heart defects or overlooked heart abnormalities, is rare. When these sudden deaths occur, it’s often during physical activity, such as playing a sport, and more often occurs in males than in females.

Millions of elementary, high school and college athletes compete yearly without incident. If you or your child is at risk of sudden death, talk to your doctor about precautions you can take.

How common is sudden cardiac death in young people?

Most deaths due to cardiac arrest are in older adults, particularly those with coronary artery disease. Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes, but the incidence of it is unclear. Perhaps 1 in every 50,000 sudden cardiac deaths a year occurs in young athletes.

What can cause sudden cardiac death in young people?

The causes of sudden cardiac death in young people vary. Most often, death is due to a heart abnormality.

For a variety of reasons, something causes the heart to beat out of control. This abnormal heart rhythm is known as ventricular fibrillation.

Some specific causes of sudden cardiac death in young people include:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In this usually inherited condition, the walls of the heart muscle thicken. The thickened muscle can disrupt the heart’s electrical system, leading to fast or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), which can lead to sudden cardiac death.

  Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, although not usually fatal, is the most common cause of heart-related sudden death in people under 30. It’s the most common identifiable cause of sudden death in athletes. HCM often goes undetected.

• Coronary artery abnormalities. Sometimes people are born with heart arteries (coronary arteries) that are connected abnormally. The arteries can become compressed during exercise and not provide proper blood flow to the heart.

• Long QT syndrome. This inherited heart rhythm disorder can cause fast, chaotic heartbeats, often leading to fainting. Young people with long QT syndrome have an increased risk of sudden death.

Other causes of sudden cardiac death in young people include structural abnormalities of the heart, such as undetected heart disease that was present at birth (congenital) and heart muscle abnormalities.

Other causes include inflammation of the heart muscle, which can be caused by viruses and other illnesses. Besides long QT syndrome, other abnormalities of the heart’s electrical system, such as Brugada syndrome, can cause sudden death.

Commotio cordis, another rare cause of sudden cardiac death that can occur in anyone, occurs as the result of a blunt blow to the chest, such as being hit by a hockey puck or another player. The blow to the chest can trigger ventricular fibrillation if the blow strikes at exactly the wrong time in the heart’s electrical cycle.

Are there symptoms or red flags parents, coaches and others should be on the lookout for that signal a young person is at high risk of sudden cardiac death?

Many times these deaths occur with no warning, indications to watch for include:

• Unexplained fainting (syncope). If this occurs during physical activity, it could be a sign that there’s a problem with your heart.
• Family history of sudden cardiac death. The other major warning sign is a family history of unexplained deaths before the age of 50. If this has occurred in your family, talk with your doctor about screening options.

Shortness of breath or chest pain could indicate that you’re at risk of sudden cardiac death. They could also indicate other health problems in young people, such as asthma.

Can sudden death in young people be prevented?

Sometimes. If you’re at high risk of sudden cardiac death, your doctor will usually suggest that you avoid competitive sports. Depending on your underlying condition, medical or surgical treatments might be appropriate to reduce your risk of sudden death.

Another option for some, such as those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). This pager-sized device implanted in your chest like a pacemaker continuously monitors your heartbeat. If a life-threatening arrhythmia occurs, the ICD delivers electrical shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm.

Who should be screened for sudden death risk factors?

There’s debate in the medical community about screening young athletes to attempt to identify those at high risk of sudden death.

Some countries such as Italy screen young people with an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which records the electrical signals in the heart. However, this type of screening is expensive and can produce false-positive results — indications that an abnormality or disease is present when it isn’t — which can cause unnecessary worry and additional tests.

It’s not clear that routine exams given before athletes are cleared to play competitive sports can prevent sudden cardiac death. However, they might help identify some who are at increased risk.

For anyone with a family history or risk factors for conditions that cause sudden cardiac death, further screening is recommended. Repeat screening of family members is recommended over time, even if the first heart evaluation was normal.

Should young people with a heart defect avoid physical activity?

If you’re at risk of sudden cardiac death, talk to your doctor about physical activity. Whether you can participate in exercise or sports depends on your condition.

For some disorders, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, it’s often recommended that you avoid most competitive sports and that if you have an ICD, you should avoid impact sports. But this doesn’t mean you need to avoid exercise. Talk to your doctor about restrictions on your activity.

Get the latest health advice from Mayo Clinic delivered
to your inbox.

Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research
advancements, health tips and current health topics,
like COVID-19, plus expert advice on managing your health.

Learn more about our use of data

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which
information
is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other
information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic Patient,
this could include Protected Health Information (PHI). If we combine this information
with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI,
and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy
practices. You may opt-out of e-mail communications
at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Subscribe!

Thank you for Subscribing

Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date
on the latest health information.

We’re sorry! Our system isn’t working. Please try again.

Something went wrong on our side, please try again.

Please try again

Jan. 09, 2019

Show references

1. Podrid PJ. Overview of sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Dec. 15, 2016.
2. Sudden cardiac arrest. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/scda/. Accessed Dec. 15, 2016.
3. Kaltman JR, et al. Screening for sudden cardiac death in the young: Report from a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Working Group. Circulation. 2011;123:1911.
4. Risgaard B. Sudden cardiac death: A nationwide cohort study among the young. Danish Medical Journal. 2016;63:5321.
5. About cardiac arrest. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/CardiacArrest/About-Cardiac-Arrest_UCM_307905_Article.jsp. Accessed Dec. 15, 2016.
6. Preventing sudden cardiac death in young adults. American College of Cardiology. https://www.cardiosmart.org/News-and-Events/2014/09/Preventing-Sudden-Cardiac-Death-in-Young-Adults. Accessed Dec. 15, 2016.
7. Sudden cardiac death in athletes. Merck Manual Professional Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/sports-and-the-heart/sudden-cardiac-death-in-athletes. Accessed Dec. 15, 2016.
8. Pelliccia A, et al. Risk of sudden cardiac death in athletes. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Dec. 15, 2016.

See more In-depth

.

Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Differences

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

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart. If the blocked artery is not reopened quickly, the part of the heart normally nourished by that artery begins to die. The longer a person goes without treatment, the greater the damage.

Symptoms of a heart attack may be immediate and intense. More often, though, symptoms start slowly and persist for hours, days or weeks before a heart attack. Unlike with sudden cardiac arrest, the heart usually does not stop beating during a heart attack. The heart attack symptoms in women can be different than men.

What is cardiac arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and often without warning. It is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. Seconds later, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment. 

What is the link?

These two distinct heart conditions are linked. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur after a heart attack, or during recovery.  Heart attacks increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Most heart attacks do not lead to sudden cardiac arrest. But when sudden cardiac arrest occurs, heart attack is a common cause. Other heart conditions may also disrupt the heart’s rhythm and lead to sudden cardiac arrest. These include a thickened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), heart failure, arrhythmias, particularly ventricular fibrillation, and long Q-T syndrome.

Fast action can save lives. Find out what to do if someone experiences a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

What to do: Heart Attack

Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, call 911 or your emergency response number. Every minute matters! It’s best to call EMS to get to the emergency room right away. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.

What to do: Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is reversible in most victims if it’s treated within a few minutes. First, call 911 for emergency medical services. Then get an automated external defibrillator if one is available and use it as soon as it arrives. Begin CPR immediately and continue until professional emergency medical services arrive. If two people are available to help, one should begin CPR immediately while the other calls 911 and finds an AED.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death – over 320,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States. By performing Hands-Only CPR to the beat of the classic disco song “Stayin’ Alive,” you can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival.

Check. Change. Control.

Calculator

What’s your risk for a heart or stroke event?

Checking the carotid pulse check: diagnostic accuracy of first responders in patients with and without a pulse

International guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in adults advocate that cardiac arrest be recognized within 5-10 s, by the absence of a pulse in the carotid arteries. However, validation of first responders’ assessment of the carotid pulse has begun only recently. We aimed (1) to develop a methodology to study diagnostic accuracy in detecting the presence or absence of the carotid pulse in unresponsive patients, and (2) to evaluate diagnostic accuracy and time required by first responders to assess the carotid pulse. In 16 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, four groups of first responders (EMT-1: 107 laypersons with basic life support (BLS) training; EMT-2: 16 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in training; PM-1: 74 paramedics in training; PM-2: 9 certified paramedics) performed, single-blinded and randomly allocated, carotid pulse assessment either during spontaneous circulation, or during non-pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass. Time to diagnosis of carotid pulse status, concurrent haemodynamics and diagnostic accuracy were recorded. In 10% (6/59), an absent carotid pulse was not recognized as pulselessness. In 45% (66/147), a pulse was not identified despite a carotid pulse with a systolic pressure > or = 80 mmHg. Thus, although sensitivity of all participants for central pulselessness approached 90%, specificity was only 55%. Both sensitivity and, to a lesser degree, specificity improved with increasing training; blood pressure or heart rate had no significant effect. The median diagnostic delay was 24 s (minimum 3 s). When no carotid pulse was found, delays were significantly longer (30 s: minimum 13 s), than when a carotid pulse was identified (15 s; minimum 3 s) (P < 0.0001). Of all participants, only 15% (31/206) produced correct diagnoses within 10 s. Only 1/59 (2%) identified pulselessness correctly within 10 s. Our cardiopulmonary bypass model of carotid pulse assessment proved to be feasible and realistic. We conclude that recognition of pulselessness by rescuers with basic CPR training is time-consuming and inaccurate. Both intensive retraining of professional rescuers and reconsideration of guidelines about carotid pulse assessment are warranted.

Cardiac Arrest Algorithm | ACLS.

com Resources

In the event of a cardiac arrest, follow these CPR guidelines. For more free resources like our ACLS cardiac arrest algorithm, explore other online articles to sharpen your life-saving skills.

Note: These guidelines are for an adult cardiac arrest algorithm. Review guidelines for the pediatric cardiac arrest algorithm with our free resources.

1. Start CPR. Start CPR with hard and fast compressions, around 100 to 120 per minute, allowing the chest to completely recoil. Give the patient oxygen and attach a monitor or defibrillator. Make sure to minimize interruptions in chest compressions and avoid excessive ventilation, using a 30 to 2 compression-to-ventilation ratio if no airway is established.
2. Rhythm shockable? Conduct a rhythm check, making sure the pause in chest compressions is not more than 10 seconds.
3. VF/pVT (Shockable rhythm). If a shockable rhythm is present, either v-fib or pulseless v-tach, begin the charging sequence on the defibrillator and resume chest compressions until the defibrillator is charged.
   1. Shock. When the defibrillator is charged, announce the shock warning and make sure no one is touching the patient. Shock the patient with an initial dose of 120 to 200 joules.
   2. CPR – 2 min. Immediately resume CPR for 2 minutes, and establish IV access.
   3. Rhythm Shockable? Check for pulse and rhythm for no more than 10 seconds every 2 minutes.
      • No. If the patient shows signs of return of spontaneous circulation, or ROSC, administer post-cardiac care. If a nonshockable rhythm is present and there is no pulse, continue with CPR and move to the algorithm for asystole or PEA.
      • Yes – Shock. If the rhythm is shockable, announce the shock warning and make sure no one is touching the patient. Administer the shock.
      • CPR – 2 min. Continue with CPR for 2 minutes. Give the patient a vasopressor such as epinephrine every 3 to 5 minutes, and consider advanced airway and capnography, giving 1 breath every 6 seconds once the advanced airway is in place.
   4. Rhythm Shockable? Check for pulse and rhythm for no more than 10 seconds every 2 minutes.
      • No. If the patient shows signs of return of spontaneous circulation, or ROSC, administer post-cardiac care. If a nonshockable rhythm is present and there is no pulse, continue with CPR and move to the algorithm for asystole or PEA.
      • Yes – Shock. If the rhythm is shockable, announce the shock warning and make sure no one is touching the patient. Administer the shock.
      • CPR – 2 min. Continue with CPR for 2 minutes. Consider giving the patient an antiarrhythmic drug such as amiodarone for refractory v-fib or pulseless v-tach, and treat reversible causes. Use Hs and Ts to remember: hypovolemic, hypoxia, hydrogen ions, hypo and hyperkalemia, hypothermia, tension pneumo, tamponade, toxins, and thrombosis.
4. Asystole/PEA. If a nonshockable rhythm is present, and the rhythm is organized, check for a pulse. Make sure the pause in chest compressions to check the rhythm is not more than 10 seconds.
   1. CPR – 2 min. Continue with CPR for 2 minutes, and establish IV access. Give the patient a vasopressor such as epinephrine every 3 to 5 minutes, and consider advanced airway and capnography, giving 1 breath every 6 seconds once the advanced airway is in place.
   2. Rhythm Shockable? Check for pulse and rhythm for no more than 10 seconds every 2 minutes.
      • Yes. If the rhythm changes to a V-fib or V-tach shockable rhythm, move to that algorithm and prepare to shock the patient.
      • CPR – 2 min. If a nonshockable rhythm is still present with no pulse, continue with CPR for 2 minutes, and treat reversible causes. Use Hs and Ts to remember: hypovolemic, hypoxia, hydrogen ions, hypo and hyperkalemia, hypothermia, tension pneumo, tamponade, toxins, and thrombosis.
   3. Rhythm Shockable? Check for pulse and rhythm for no more than 10 seconds every 2 minutes.
      • Yes. If the rhythm changes to a V-fib or V-tach shockable rhythm, move to that algorithm and prepare to shock the patient.
      • CPR – 2 min. If the patient shows signs of return of spontaneous circulation, or ROSC, administer post-cardiac care. If a nonshockable rhythm is present and there is no pulse, continue with CPR.

Three Things You May Not Know About CPR

People who have cardiac arrests may benefit from CPR, yet many people who witness cardiac arrest do not perform CPR. Learn about CPR so you can be prepared.

Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Someone whose heart has stopped beating is in cardiac arrest and needs CPR.

What is CPR, and when should I use it?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure that can help save a person’s life if their breathing or heart stops.

When a person’s heart stops beating, they are in cardiac arrest.  During cardiac arrest, the heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body, including the brain and lungs. Death can happen in minutes without treatment.¹ CPR uses chest compressions to mimic how the heart pumps. These compressions help keep blood flowing throughout the body.

Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. A person having a heart attack is still talking and breathing. This person does not need CPR—but they do need to get to the hospital right away. Heart attack increases the risk for going into cardiac arrest.¹

Learn some surprising facts about CPR, cardiac arrest, and how you can be prepared to help save a life.

1. CPR Saves Lives.

Currently, about 9 in 10 people who have cardiac arrest outside the hospital die.² But CPR can help improve those odds. If it is performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. ²

Certain people, including people in low-income, Black, and Hispanic neighborhoods, are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders than people in high-income white neighborhoods.³ 

Women may also be less likely to receive CPR if they experience cardiac arrest in a public place.⁴

How can I tell whether someone is in cardiac arrest?⁵

• The person is unresponsive, even if you shake or shout at them.
• The person isn’t breathing or is only gasping.

If you see someone in cardiac arrest, call 9-1-1 right away and then start CPR. Keep doing CPR until medical professionals arrive.

2. Cardiac Arrests Often Happen at Home.

About 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals each year—and about 7 in 10 of those happen at home.³ Unfortunately, about half of the people who experience cardiac arrests at home don’t get the help they need from bystanders before an ambulance arrives. ⁴

If you see cardiac arrest happen (see sidebar), call 9-1-1 right away and then do CPR until medical professionals arrive. Keep reading to learn how to perform CPR.

3. You Don’t Need Formal Training to Perform CPR.

You don’t need a special certification or formal training to perform CPR, but you do need education. If cardiac arrest happens to someone near you, don’t be afraid—just be prepared! Follow these steps if you see someone in cardiac arrest:

• Call 9-1-1 right away. If another bystander is nearby, save time by asking that person to call 9-1-1 and look for an automated external defibrillatorexternal icon (AED) while you begin CPR. AEDs are portable machines that can electrically shock the heart and cause it to start beating again.
• Give CPR. Push down hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 pushes a minute. Let the chest come back up to its normal position after each push. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends timing your pushes to the beat of the song “Stayin’ Alive.” This method of CPR is called “hands-only” and does not involve breathing into the person’s mouth.
• Continue giving CPR until medical professionals arrive or until a person with formal CPR training can take over.

Learn more about the hands-only methodexternal icon of CPR from AHA.

If you want to gain confidence in performing CPR, consider taking a class or attending a training. Find trainingexternal icon or a courseexternal icon near you.

More Information

CDC

 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

 American Heart Association

A to Z: Cardiac Arrest (for Parents) – Children’s Health System

May also be called: CA; Sudden Cardiac Arrest; SCA; Cardiopulmonary Arrest; Circulatory Arrest

Cardiac (KAR-dee-ak) arrest is a condition in which the heart suddenly stops beating.

More to Know

With each heartbeat, blood is sent throughout the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to every cell. A natural electrical system in the heart causes it to beat in its regular rhythm, but sometimes the electrical signals flowing through the heart don’t “communicate” properly with the heart muscle. This can cause the heart to start beating in an abnormal pattern called an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias can cause the heart to beat too fast or too slow. Some can even cause the heart to stop pumping blood to the body. When this happens, it’s called cardiac arrest.

During cardiac arrest, body parts — including the brain — don’t get the oxygen they need, and they can become damaged very quickly. This can cause death (called sudden cardiac death) in a matter of minutes. Signs of cardiac arrest include a sudden collapse, no pulse, no breathing, and a loss of consciousness. Right before cardiac arrest, some people may feel fatigued, have chest pain or shortness of breath, faint, or vomit. Often, though, cardiac arrest happens with no warning.

Cardiac arrest can be caused by heart disease, a heart attack, an enlarged heart, electrical problems in the heart, electrical shock, the use of certain illegal drugs, or an injury to the heart at the wrong moment of the heart’s cycle.

When cardiac arrest happens, it’s a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or a device called a defibrillator that delivers an electrical shock to start the heart beating again.

Keep in Mind

Cardiac arrest can cause death very quickly, but it is possible to survive if someone receives immediate medical care. There’s no way to know who may experience cardiac arrest, but taking certain steps can minimize the risk. These include eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and staying physically active.

All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.

Sudden cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation

This condition most often occurs due to a violation of the electrical activity of the heart. At the moment of cardiac arrest, the person faints and stops breathing.

Sudden cardiac arrest is often compared to a heart attack, but this is not true. Blood flow to one part of the heart is blocked during an attack. But it can also trigger electrical imbalances that can lead to cardiac arrest.

During a sudden cardiac arrest, emergency medical attention is required, otherwise the person will die. At the first sign, you need to immediately call an ambulance. And basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (manually or with a defibrillator) before an ambulance arrives increases the chances of rescue.

Causes of sudden cardiac arrest

One of the reasons is heart rhythm disturbances, which are called arrhythmias. They occur when the electrical system of the heart is working intermittently.

The main task of this system is to control the rhythm and frequency of contractions of the heart muscle. If disturbances occur in this system, then the heart begins to beat too often, too rarely or irregularly. This is usually harmless and quickly resolves, but in some cases it leads to sudden cardiac arrest.

In 90% of cases, the heart stops due to ventricular fibrillation: fast and erratic electrical impulses cause them to contract erratically and ineffectively, instead of pumping blood evenly.

It is extremely rare that the heart stops in a perfectly healthy person. But this usually happens to people who have had heart disease, but may not have known about it.

Sudden cardiac arrest most often occurs in:

90,020 90,021 people with coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, or congenital heart disease;

90,021 those who have already suffered a heart attack,

In addition, cardiac arrest is caused by non-cardiac problems, such as trauma, breathing problems (as a result of airway obstruction, drowning, smoke poisoning), overdose of drugs or drugs.

Risk factors

Due to the fact that sudden cardiac arrest is associated with cardiac problems, the risk factors for them are as follows:

• the presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system in blood relatives,
• high blood pressure,
• high blood cholesterol,
• smoking,
• excessive alcohol consumption,
• drug use,
• diabetes,
• overweight,

90,021 inactivity and sedentary lifestyles.

Significantly increase the likelihood of this condition:

• cardiac arrest in the person himself or in close relatives,
• heart attack survivor,

90,021 age: older people are more prone to heart disease,

• male,
• loud snoring and obstructive sleep apnea,

90,021 kidney diseases, especially chronic.

How to recognize sudden cardiac arrest

All signs appear abruptly and unexpectedly:

• people suddenly lose consciousness and fall,
• for a couple, he breathes convulsively, and after breathing stops completely,
• pulse is not palpable even on large vessels,

90,021 face turns pale,

• some people may have seizures.

Occasionally cardiac arrest preceded by:

• chest pain or discomfort,
• heart rate acceleration,
• breathing disorders,

90,021 weakness throughout the body.

First aid: basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation

If you notice symptoms similar to sudden cardiac arrest in a person, call an ambulance immediately.

In case of sudden cardiac arrest, the blood stops receiving the required amount of oxygen.Being in this state, for even a few minutes, you can die or get irreversible brain damage. Time plays a major role here. Therefore, as soon as you call an ambulance, start resuscitation yourself. You have a chance to save a person, even if you have never done it.

Do the following:

1. Quickly check that the person is not breathing and the pulse is not palpable.
2. Lay it on its back on a hard surface. Tilt his head back and check that there is nothing in his mouth that interferes with breathing.
3. Start chest compressions: press hard and firmly on your chest at a frequency of about 2 times per second. Each time the chest should be pressed in 5-6 centimeters and fully straightened.
4. If you know how to do artificial respiration and know the safety rules, give two artificial breaths every 60 strokes. If not, just continue the chest compressions.
5. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be done before medical personnel arrive, even if there seems to be no chance.It is physically difficult, so if possible, you need to find an assistant and alternate with him.

If there are people around you who are at high risk of cardiac arrest, it is worth learning first aid and purchasing a portable defibrillator.

90,000 New research: Human death occurs about five minutes after cardiac arrest. This is why it matters | Hromadske television

For quite a long time, the death of a person was ascertained by cardiac arrest – that is, by the absence of a pulse.Now we know that there are other vital signs, from metabolism to brain activity. They can continue even in the absence of a heartbeat, which means that this or that organ is still functioning.

This is important to consider for organ donation. The fact is that an organ from a person who, during his lifetime, gave consent to donation, can be taken only after the final ascertaining of the fact of death. It is worth considering the reaction of the deceased’s loved ones, who may not believe until the last that there is no chance of resuscitating a person.In the scientific community, a corresponding discussion began after cases when organs for donation were taken from infants 75 seconds after their heart stopped.

Since it is impossible to measure all the vital signs of a person, doctors use the “rule of five minutes”: if after cardiac arrest during this time it is not possible to resuscitate the patient, his death can be ascertained. Then, if a person during his lifetime agreed to donate his organs, they can be taken.

In a new large-scale study, an international team of doctors decided to test the “rule of five minutes” by observing people who were near death.The study involved nearly two thousand patients in 20 intensive care units in three countries. Of these, data on 480 people were selected. Patients were followed up for 30 minutes after establishing the fact of death.

Only 67 patients (14%) recorded a recovery of the heartbeat, but it did not last long on average – a few seconds – and the patients, as a result, did not revive. Mostly, the heartbeat resumed briefly 1-2 minutes after cardiac arrest; the longest time recorded by researchers is 4 minutes 20 seconds.

Separately, the doctors examined a group of 32 patients who agreed to donate their organs for donation. Of these, only two had a short recovery of the heartbeat – 64 and 151 seconds after cardiac arrest, respectively.

In general, the results obtained by the researchers confirm the “rule of five minutes.” However, they note that the patients they studied were on a life support system. Results may differ in other cases.

The study was published on January 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

First aid in case of cardiac or respiratory arrest – health articles

Emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation is needed for various sudden conditions, in particular, this is first aid for stopping blood circulation. The reason for the stop can be various circumstances, both heart disease and accidents. The cessation of blood circulation leads to a disruption in the supply of oxygen to all organ systems, and, as you know, all cells of the body simply die without oxygen.For this reason, assistance must be provided in a timely, correct and prompt manner. With every second you delay, the chances of saving the victim diminish. Therefore, if you happen to witness a situation in which a person’s heart stops and breathing stops, you should know how to behave and what to do, because in your hands is the life of a person!

Here are some important tips based on the latest guidelines:

• American Heart Association CPR and ECC Guideline 2010
• Guidelines for resuscitation issued by the European Resuscitation Council in 2010
• ILCOR International CPR Consensus Report 2010adopted by 29 countries

1. No more than 10 seconds are given for the diagnosis of cardiac (blood circulation) and respiratory arrest! A few simple facts indicating that it is time to move on to active resuscitation:

• Complete lack of consciousness in the victim
• The person does not breathe or is breathing incorrectly
• No heart rate

After the fact of circulatory arrest has been precisely established, the victim is placed on a flat surface (preferably firm) in a supine position.The legs should be slightly raised and placed on an elevation (this will improve blood flow to the heart from the lower veins). You can cover your body with a blanket to keep it cool.

2. Further tactics of behavior:

• The first step is to immediately call an ambulance
• Then immediately begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of the victim

3. Indirect cardiac massage, instructions:

• Place one hand with the palm of the hand on the lower third of the sternum, so that the main rest is on the metacarpus.Place the other hand on top
• The depth of pressure (compressions) should be 5 cm for adults, for children 4-5 cm or 1/3 of the chest diameter
• Compression rate – 100 clicks per minute
• The ratio of compressions and breaths – 30 clicks for 2 breaths

4. Artificial respiration:

• Volume – 500-600 ml of air (6-7 ml / kg) 6-10 breaths per minute
• Interrupting compressions will reduce the victim’s chances of survival.Try to breathe in as quickly as possible to shorten the pause between compressions
• In this case, excessive ventilation of the lungs should be avoided

Ideally, there should be two rescuers and they should rotate every 2 minutes! As soon as the pulse appears and the victim’s breathing can be heard, massage and artificial ventilation of the lungs should be stopped. Before the ambulance arrived, you did your best. It must be remembered that when blood circulation stops, deterioration can occur very suddenly and abruptly.During this period, clinical death may occur, which will last only 4-6 minutes. This is the time that you have to provide first aid and save a person’s life.

Sudden cardiac arrest | MRI Expert

Cardiovascular diseases are the scourge of modern society. In world statistics, this is the most common cause of death. In Russia alone, about two hundred thousand people a year die from sudden cardiac arrest. The most difficult thing to realize is a loss if a person felt good the day before, but did not wake up in the morning.

We talked about the causes of the tragedy and how to prevent it with Tatyana Mikhailovna Kolomeytseva, a cardiologist at the Clinic Expert Tula center.

– Tatyana Mikhailovna, because of what a person’s heart can suddenly stop?

As a rule, this is a consequence of existing diseases: ischemic heart disease, hereditary cardiomyopathies, congenital heart defects and the vascular system. The cause is also thrombosis, spasm of the coronary vessels.

Only in Russia from sudden cardiac arrest
about two hundred thousand people die a year

– Can a tragedy happen to an absolutely healthy person, whose cardiovascular system has never failed?

An absolutely healthy person is not in danger of death from a heart attack.However, heart disease (particularly coronary artery disease) can be asymptomatic. In this case, the tragedy becomes the result of undiagnosed pathology.

“Chronic heart failure (one of the forms of ischemic heart disease) is present in 7% of the country’s inhabitants.” Quote from the material: “Ischemic heart disease: diagnosis and treatment”

– In people far from medicine, heart disease is associated with stress or physical exertion. But in a dream, a person is absolutely calm.Are there any risk factors specific to sleep?

No. The already listed pathologies are dangerous: both in sleep and during wakefulness.

– Can sleep quality indicate an increased risk of sudden death?

Obstructive sleep apnea is of particular concern. Its main manifestation is snoring. An apnea sufferer often does not get enough sleep, does not have time to recuperate overnight, suffers from drowsiness during the daytime, and is also prone to high blood pressure on awakening.

– Diseases not directly related to the cardiovascular system can be an additional risk factor?

Certainly they can. These conditions include diabetes mellitus, obesity, kidney disease, and neurological disease.

– What is the most dangerous age for cardiac arrest?

The incidence of cardiac disorders increases with age. Therefore, the older the person, the higher the risk.

– When should you be on your guard? Are there symptoms that make it possible to anticipate such a dangerous condition in advance?

Harbingers may appear two weeks before cardiac arrest. This is fatigue, shortness of breath, arrhythmia. The most threatening symptom is fainting. They cannot be ignored.

The most threatening symptom is fainting.
They cannot be ignored

As statistics show, in three cases out of four sudden death was preceded by the corresponding symptoms.Therefore, it is important to pay attention to your well-being.

– Not everyone is used to keeping an eye on their health. When a person himself does not talk about his health, relatives can guess that they need help? What external manifestations should cause anxiety?

It is more difficult to predict the impending disaster from the outside. But if a person suddenly slows down the pace of activity, cannot cope with the usual load, this is an alarming symptom. The gait slows down, endurance decreases. It is worth contacting a doctor if your friend or relative cannot keep up with you on a walk, although you are walking at your usual speed.

Another symptom that is noticeable from the outside is snoring. It is a marker of obstructive sleep apnea.

– Can genetic tests help in identifying a predisposition to heart disease?

Only in case of hereditary cardiomyopathies. This is not the main cause of sudden cardiac death. It takes no more than 20% of the total. To judge the hereditary nature of cardiomyopathy, it is necessary to examine three generations of the same family.

“Its main danger is the possibility of sudden cardiac arrest.Therefore, patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation are immediately hospitalized. ” Quote from the material “Recognizing the enemy of the heart. What is arrhythmia? ”

– Fitness bracelets have become widespread recently. They are worn in order to control their motor activity. How accurately do they measure the pulse and can they help to suspect a problem in the cardiovascular system?

It is impossible to talk about fitness bracelets as a full-fledged diagnostic tool.They only measure the pulse, this is not enough for final conclusions. But they can warn of impending danger. You should be on your guard if the bracelet detects rhythm disturbances. Simpler models for arrhythmias can simply fail – this is also a reason to see a doctor.

“Pulse symmetry is affected by a decrease in the lumen of one of the arteries, its incorrect location.” Quote from the material “What should be the pulse of an adult: norm and pathology”

– If a cardiac arrest in a dream still occurs, can the person be helped somehow?

Most often, in this case, a person is left without help, because there are no witnesses.But if it was possible to notice in time, it is necessary to call an ambulance brigade as soon as possible.

– What is dangerous for our heart? How to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

The cardiovascular system suffers from bad habits (in particular, smoking), chronic emotional overload. Improper diet is also dangerous: irregular, with a lot of fat.

To preserve your heart, you must lead a healthy lifestyle.Give yourself a feasible and regular physical activity.

In case of already detected cardiological pathologies, it is important to visit a doctor regularly and follow all recommendations.

– If it was not possible to prevent the tragedy, people can only hope that the loved one at least did not experience pain and fear. But is there any reason for such a hope?

Research, of course, was not carried out. But it is known that with fatal arrhythmias, consciousness fades out very quickly. The parts of the brain responsible for the perception of pain are not functioning.Therefore, a person does not experience torment.

Other materials on topics:

How to keep your heart healthy?

A serious question: what happens to the heart during an angina attack?

Heart, why don’t you want peace? What causes tachycardia?

For information:

Kolomeitseva Tatiana Mikhailovna

In 2008 she graduated from the Moscow Medical Academy.THEM. Sechenov with a degree in Medical and Preventive Business.

In 2009 – professional retraining at the Moscow Medical Academy. THEM. Sechenov with a degree in General Medicine. Has professional retraining at the Russian State Medical University, Roszdrav, specializing in Cardiology. Passed professional improvement on the topic “Pulmonary hypertension: clinical practice” on the basis of the European Health Center Otwock (Poland)

In 2015 – advanced training on the basis of the N.M.N.I. Pirogov “Anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation.” In 2016 – professional improvement on the topic “Difficult issues in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension” on the basis of the RKNPK them. Myasnikova

In 2017-2018 – advanced training on the basis of the First Moscow State Medical University. THEM. Sechenov “Modern aspects of diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure.”

Member of the Russian Society of Cardiology.

Has a certificate of a specialist in the specialties “Therapy”, “Cardiology”

Currently works as a cardiologist at Clinic Expert Tula LLC.Accepts at the address: st. Boldina, 74

90,000 Seven Ways to Feel Dead

• Rachel Newer
• BBC Future

March 16, 2015

Photo Credit, Thinkstock

The transition from life to death in everyday consciousness is often associated with a bright light at the end of a long tunnel. However, as the correspondent found out

BBC Future , reports of many other very strange cases have been recorded, and scientists intend to finally figure it out.

In 2011, Mr. A., a 57-year-old social worker from England, was admitted to a hospital in Southampton after fainting at work. The doctors were just injecting a catheter into his groin when suddenly his heart stopped. As soon as the supply of oxygen to the brain ceased, the oscillogram stretched out into a thin thread. Mr. A. is dead. But despite this, he remembers what happened next.

The staff immediately used an automatic external defibrillator (AED), a machine that uses electric shock to restart the heart.A. heard a mechanical voice say twice: “Give me a shock.” In the intervals between these two commands, he looked up and saw some strange woman who beckoned him from the far corner of the room, hovering somewhere near the ceiling. He joined her, leaving his motionless body where it was. “I felt that she knew me. I also felt that I could trust her and that she was here for a reason. But what was that reason, I did not know,” A. later recalled. “The next second I was already there. upstairs and looked down at myself, at my sister and at some bald man. “

Inspection showed that hospital records contain two verbal commands for the use of AED. Mr. A’s later descriptions of the people in the room, whom he could not see before he lost consciousness, and their actions, were also perfectly accurate. He was describing things that happened over the course of three minutes, which, if we trust our knowledge of biology, he could not have had a clue.

The story of Mr. A., described in a report published in the journal of the European Council of Resuscitation, is just one of the cases that refute the generally accepted ideas about human near-death conditions.Until now, researchers have proceeded from the fact that as soon as the heart stops beating and sending life-giving streams of blood to the human brain, he ceases to be aware of himself and everything around him. From this moment on, the person is essentially dead. However, the further we advance in the study of the science of death, the better we begin to understand that such conditions can be reversible.

Photo author, Thinkstock

Photo caption,

After the books of Raymond Moody, this is how many imagine the beginning of the posthumous experience

For many years, those who managed to return from these places and states incomprehensible to the mind, often shared memories of their experiences event.Doctors in most cases dismiss such evidence, calling them hallucinations, and researchers until recently were reluctant to dive into the study of such “near-death” states, mainly because they considered them to be beyond the scope of scientific knowledge.

However, Sam Parnia, a critical care physician and director of critical care research at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in New York, teamed up with colleagues from 17 medical and research centers in the United States and the United Kingdom to put an end to this speculation. what people who are on their deathbed experience and do not experience.Scientists believe that they will be able to collect scientific data on the potentially last moments of the life of the dying. Over the course of four years, they analyzed more than two thousand cases of cardiac arrest, that is, those moments when the heart stops beating and a person officially becomes dead.

Of this number of patients, doctors managed to return 16% from the dead. Parnia and his colleagues were able to talk with 101 of them, i.e. about one in three. “Our goal was to try to understand, first of all, what it is like, the experience of death from a mental and cognitive (cognitive) point of view,” says Parnia.- And further. If we are dealing with people who claim that they perceived what was happening at the time of death by ear and visually, we had to figure out whether they really realized what was happening to them. “

Seven tastes of death

Mr. A is not the only patient with a memory of his own death. Nearly 50% of the people interviewed by the researchers could recall something. However, unlike Mr. A. and another woman whose story of being outside his own the bodies could not be verified on the basis of external data, the experience of other patients, it seems, was not associated with those events that took place immediately at the time of their death.Instead, they reproduced some dream-like hallucinatory scenarios, which Parnia and his co-authors divided into seven thematic categories. “Most of them don’t fit what is called a near-death experience,” Parnia says.

The seven thematic categories of experiences are as follows:

• fear;
• visions of animals and plants;
• bright light;
• violence and harassment;
• deja vu or “already seen”;
• family vision;
• Post-cardiac arrest memories.

These mental experiences range in nature from utterly terrifying to blissful. Some people, for example, recalled experiencing feelings of fear, suffering, or persecution. “I had to go through a ritual, and it was a burning ritual,” one of the patients recalled. Another recalls being “dragged deep under water” and another remembered that he was “told that I was going to die, and the fastest way to die is to say the last short word I can remember.”

Author of the photo, Thinkstock

Caption to the photo,

Many find themselves in a wonderful place where they feel peace

However, other respondents experienced exactly the opposite feelings. 22% reported experiencing a state of “peace and agreeableness.” Some saw something alive: “all kinds of plants, but not flowers” or “lions and tigers”: others basked in the glow of “bright light” or reunited with their families. Others reported a distinct sense of déjà vu: “I knew what these people were going to do before they did this and that.”Heightened feelings, a distorted perception of the passage of time, and a sense of being disconnected from one’s own body were also fairly common sensations reported by survivors of dying.

Photo author, Thinkstock

Caption,

Others see places that are not so pleasant and even frightening …

Although it is “quite obvious that people experience something while they are dead,” Parnia says. how these individuals interpret their experiences depends entirely on their past life and experience, as well as on their previous beliefs.Someone from India may, after returning from the dead, tell that he saw Krishna, while a native of the Midwest of the USA, after a similar experience, will tell that he saw God as the American Christians who live in those lands imagine him. “If a father in the Midwest tells his child, ‘When you die, you will meet Jesus, and he will be filled with love and compassion,’ – of course, the child will imagine just that,” Parnia says. “He will come back and say,” Yes, dad, you were right. I really saw Jesus! “But how can any of us really know Jesus or God the Father? You don’t know what God is like.And I don’t know what God is. Except that this is a man with a long gray beard. But this is just a picture. “

Photo author, Thinkstock

Photo caption,

Scientists believe that near-death visions largely depend on the religious background of the dying person.

” I have no idea what all these things mean – the soul, Paradise hell. There are, apparently, thousands and thousands of different interpretations, which depend on where you were born and what your life experience is, he continues.“It is important to isolate all this evidence from the realities of religious teachings and consider them objectively.”

Typical Cases

Scientists have not yet been able to identify signs that would indicate in advance who is most likely to remember something about their own death. can not yet explain why some people experience a horrifying scenario, while others, on the contrary, fall into euphoria.As Parnia points out, it is very likely that there are many more people who have experienced “near death” than the figures obtained in the research reflect.For many people, memories of this are simply erased by swelling of the brain after cardiac arrest, as well as by taking strong sedatives that are prescribed for them in the hospital.

Even if people cannot clearly remember what they experienced at the time of death, this experience can affect them on a subconscious level. Parnia puts forward a hypothesis with which he hopes to explain the different reactions of patients who have experienced cardiac arrest after recovery: some lose their fear of death and begin to relate to life more altruistically, while others develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

Photo author, Thinkstock

Photo caption,

Investigating death? Is it too ambitious a task?

Parnia and his colleagues are already planning new research based on previous findings to help them understand some of these issues. They also hope that their work will help broaden the traditional discourse on death, which is characterized by extremes, and free it from the constraints of religious beliefs or skepticism.

Death should be considered in the same way as any other subject of scientific knowledge. “Anyone with a more or less objective mindset will agree that further investigation is required here,” Parnia says.

90,000 15 signs that cardiac arrest may occur: 03 March 2019, 09:32

Heart disease can often be disguised as mild malaise, pain and general weakness.Mortality in the world from a sudden stop of a vital organ, according to WHO, can reach about 7 million people a year. Anesthesiologist-resuscitator Gulnur Baibulova helped the Tengrinews.kz correspondent to understand what signs can speak of cardiovascular diseases and signal a possible cardiac arrest.

The symptoms listed below are related to cardiovascular diseases and which can ultimately lead to rupture of the aorta, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, coronary heart disease, vascular disease, varicose veins of the lower extremities and other diseases.

In acute coronary syndrome, blood supply is disrupted or completely interrupted. In this case, oxygen is not supplied to the heart muscle in a certain area, which can lead not only to a heart attack, but also to death.

1. Chest discomfort

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease are not always pain. Often a person himself cannot understand what worries him. Some complain of chest tightness or pressure, while others are haunted by tingling, a slight burning sensation, or the inability to breathe deeply.Doctors advise not to hope that the discomfort will “go away by itself,” but to make an appointment with a doctor, undergo an ultrasound scan and an electrocardiogram.

2. Chest pain

The most obvious symptom of heart disease, as noted by the doctor, is chest pain on the left side. By its nature, this pain is pressing or constricting, the patient may feel heaviness or lack of air. Such an attack often lasts more than 10 minutes. Here you don’t even have to guess – in 90 percent of cases, this heart signals a malfunction.

3. Pain in arms and legs

Pain that radiates to the left shoulder, left, or both arms at once is one of the subtle signs of heart problems. An examination by a cardiologist must be passed if it is not possible to accurately identify the focus of pain, and in the foreseeable past, these parts of the body have not been hit or injured. Cramps and pain when walking in the calves can be a sign of peripheral vascular disease of the leg arteries. And if there are problems with the vessels of the legs, the heart should also be checked.

4. Pain in the lower jaw

If the lower jaw periodically hurts, your teeth ache, there is no caries, and the dentist makes a helpless gesture, you should not blame him for unprofessionalism. Perhaps you just have a slight cold and there is no cause for concern. But it would be useful to visit a cardiologist. It also happens that pain in the lower jaw and teeth are signs of heart disease.

The five most heart-healthy foods were identified

5. Sweating

The body, throwing out a fair share of adrenaline into the blood, makes the heart beat faster, and the vessels work with triple strength, because of this, profuse sweating can begin.In itself, it is not scary. But if along with him there are pains with pronounced weakness – go through the examination. In some cases, sweating is not related to heart disease – with excitement or hyperhidrosis, but sometimes it is a signal that the heart rhythm is disturbed.

Photo: pixabay.com

6. Pressure surges

Pressure surges can be short-term or permanent. With constant pressure surges, there is a high risk of stroke, and it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible.

7. Confusion of consciousness and distraction

Due to arrhythmias, when the heart beats too fast or too slowly, people often experience distraction and difficulty concentrating. The pressure drops, the brain does not receive enough blood, and confusion arises.

8. Fainting and darkening of the eyes

Fainting or darkening of the eyes occurs for a variety of reasons, but a common cause is usually a sudden drop in blood pressure, which in turn reduces blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain.Also, fainting can be due to too fast or slow heartbeats, dysfunction of the heart muscle or heart valves.

9. Pale or “bluish” skin

Skin discoloration can also be a symptom of cardiovascular disease. In case of circulatory disorders, areas of the body remote from the heart, namely fingers and toes, the tip of the nose, lips, ears, may have a bluish tint. This indicates an excess of hemoglobin in the blood. Very pale and cold skin, especially on the face, can also be a sign of heart problems.Since there is an outflow of blood and vasospasm in the skin.

Illustrative photo: aifudm.net

10. Lack of air or shortness of breath

The heart supplies blood to organs and tissues. If the heart transports an insufficient volume of blood ( that is, heart failure occurs. – Author’s note ), fluid accumulates in the lungs, gas exchange worsens and pulmonary edema occurs. Pulmonary edema just causes shortness of breath, which is often accompanied by a feeling of suffocation, shortness of breath or heaviness in the chest.

Kazakh pharmacies sell a drug that can cause cardiac arrest

11. Nausea and vomiting

Changes in the frequency and rhythm of breathing, increased salivation, increased heart rate and pain in the heart provoke nausea and vomiting.

12. Pain under the scapula and in the neck

Pain under the scapula, between the shoulder blades or in the left subscapular region, as well as in the neck region, are also non-obvious signs of heart disease.Myocardial muscle necrosis occurs, blood supply deteriorates.

Illustrative photo: newsmir.info

13. Migraine and headaches

Migraines and headaches can be caused by problems with blood circulation. A visit to the cardiologist will not be superfluous.

14. Snoring

Loud and rolling snoring – sleep apnea – can also be a sign of serious heart problems. Apnea is a short-term cessation of breathing during sleep, which has a bad effect on the cardiovascular system: hypoxia of the heart muscle may begin or hypertension (high blood pressure) may develop.

Counting in millimeters. The heart of a 9-day-old baby was operated on by surgeons in Almaty

15. Weakness and fatigue

A weak heart cannot provide adequate blood circulation. Because of this, organs and tissues begin to experience a deficiency of nutrients and oxygen. To survive, the body reduces the blood supply to less important organs, primarily the limbs, and directs blood to the more important ones – the heart, brain, lungs. Because of what a person quickly gets tired and weak.

“With such a clinical picture, the patient urgently needs to provide first aid and call emergency medical care. The patient should never be left alone, especially if there is nausea with vomiting and loss of consciousness. One of the common causes may be acute coronary syndrome,” says anesthesiologist-resuscitator Gulnur Baibulova.

Separately, the specialist noted the factors that can cause heart disease: obesity or high blood cholesterol levels, excessive consumption of fatty foods, tobacco abuse in any form (from smoking to chewing), high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, frequent emotional stress or such character traits such as aggression, irritability, impatience.

25 heart attacks per day. The kid’s desire to live conquered doctors

Even faster than on the website! Read our news on Telegram. Subscribe to @tengrinews.

90,000 4.4. First aid methods for electric shock / Consultant Plus

4.4. First aid methods in case of defeat

electric shock

4.4.1. If the victim has no consciousness, breathing, pulse, the skin is cyanotic, and the pupils are dilated, you should immediately begin to restore the vital functions of the body by artificial respiration and external heart massage.It is also necessary to do artificial respiration in the case when the victim breathes very rarely and convulsively, but his pulse can be felt.

Do not undress the victim, wasting time. It must be remembered that attempts to revive are effective only in cases where no more than 4 minutes have passed since the cardiac arrest, therefore first aid should be provided immediately and, if possible, at the scene.

4.4.2. The most effective method of artificial respiration is the “Mouth – Device – Mouth” method, as this ensures that a sufficient volume of air is supplied to the victim’s lungs.Air can be blown in through cheesecloth, handkerchief, etc. This method of artificial respiration allows you to easily control the flow of air into the lungs of the victim by expanding the chest after inflation and its subsequent collapse as a result of passive exhalation.

For artificial respiration, the victim should be placed on his back, unfastened breathing clothing and ensure the patency of the upper airways, which in the supine position are closed with a sunken tongue when unconscious.In addition, there may be foreign contents in the oral cavity (vomit, slipped prostheses), which must be removed with the index finger wrapped in a handkerchief (cloth) or bandage, turning the victim’s head to one side.

After that, the person providing assistance is located on the side of the victim’s head, puts one hand under his neck, and with the palm of the other hand presses on the forehead, throwing his head back as much as possible. In this case, the root of the tongue rises and frees the entrance to the larynx, and the victim’s mouth opens.The caregiver leans towards the victim’s face, takes a deep breath with his open mouth, then completely tightly covers the victim’s open mouth with his lips and exhales vigorously, blowing air into his mouth with some effort; at the same time he covers the victim’s nose with his cheek or fingers on his forehead.

If the patient’s pulse is well determined and only artificial respiration is necessary, then the interval between artificial breaths should be 5 seconds, which corresponds to a respiration rate of 12 times per minute.

In addition to the expansion of the chest, a good indicator of the effectiveness of artificial respiration can be the pinking of the skin and mucous membranes, as well as the release of the victim from unconsciousness and the appearance of spontaneous breathing.

Stop artificial respiration after the victim has restored sufficiently deep and rhythmic spontaneous breathing.

4.4.3. External indirect cardiac massage is performed as follows:

If assistance is provided by one person, he is positioned to the side of the victim and, bending over, makes two quick vigorous blows (by the “mouth-to-mouth” or “mouth-to-nose” method), then unbends, remaining on the same side of the victim.The palm of one hand is placed on the lower half of the sternum, stepping back two fingers higher from its lower edge, and the fingers are lifted. He puts the palm of the second hand on top of the first across or along and presses, helping by tilting his body. When pressing, the hands should be straightened at the elbow joints.

Pressing should be done with quick jerks so as to displace the sternum by 4 – 5 cm, the duration of pressing is no more than 0.5 sec., The interval between individual pressures is no more than 0.5 sec.

If the revival is carried out by one person, then for every two deep blows he makes 15 pressures on the sternum, then again makes two blows and again repeats 15 pressures, etc.e. It is necessary to make at least 60 pressures and 12 blows per minute. It is impossible to prolong the blowing, as soon as the victim’s chest has expanded, it must be stopped.

With the participation of two people in the resuscitation, the ratio “breathing-massage” is 1: 5, ie. after one deep injection, five pressures are performed on the chest. During artificial respiration, the victim does not perform the pressure, since the efforts developed during pressure are much greater than during inhalation (pressure during inhalation leads to the ineffectiveness of artificial respiration, and, consequently, resuscitation measures).During artificial inhalation, the hands are not removed from the sternum, the fingers remain raised, the arms are fully extended at the elbow joints. When carrying out resuscitation together, it is advisable for those providing assistance to change places after 5 to 10 minutes.

When the external heart massage is performed correctly, each pressure on the sternum causes the appearance of a pulse in the arteries.

4.4.4. Caregivers should periodically monitor the correctness and effectiveness of external heart massage by the appearance of a pulse on the carotid or femoral arteries.When carrying out resuscitation by one person, he should interrupt the cardiac massage every 2 minutes for 2 – 3 s to determine the pulse on the carotid artery. If two people are involved in resuscitation, then the pulse on the carotid artery is controlled by the one who performs artificial respiration. The appearance of a pulse during a break in the massage indicates the restoration of the activity of the heart (the presence of blood circulation). In this case, the cardiac massage should be stopped immediately, but artificial respiration should be continued until stable spontaneous respiration appears.In the absence of a pulse, it is necessary to continue to massage the heart.

4.4.5. If resuscitation measures are effective (the pulse is determined on the large arteries during pressure on the sternum, the pupils narrow, the cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes decreases), the victim’s cardiac activity and spontaneous breathing are restored.

4.4.6. Prolonged absence of a pulse with the appearance of other signs of revitalization of the body (spontaneous breathing, constriction of the pupils, attempts of the victim to move his arms and legs, etc.)) is a sign of cardiac fibrillation. In these cases, it is necessary to continue to give artificial respiration and heart massage to the victim before transferring him to medical personnel.

.