M
mrsam
Guest
Cardiac arrest is responsible for no less than 7 million deaths globally. By way of definition, it describes the sudden cessation of cardiac output due to failure of the heart muscle to contract effectively. It is worthy of note that cardiac arrest differs from heart failure in which the heart still pumps blood, albeit insufficient or heart attack (myocardial infarction) where blood supply to the heart is blocked with consequent death of affected heart muscle. Evidently, cardiac arrest is a medical emergency that can lead to preventable death within few minutes without prompt intervention. In fact, speculations are rife that the recent demise of erstwhile captain and coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi may have been due to a cardiac arrest.
In the light of the foregoing, here are a few things you should know about cardiac arrest.
1. It can lead to death within minutes
Sadly, 95% of patients who go into cardiac arrest never survive it. Why? If urgent intervention is not available right from the site of the incident up to the hospital, chances of survival are very slim. However, an intervention as simple as chest compression may be life-saving if started immediately. Once the heart stops pumping blood, vital body organs particularly the brain are deprived of oxygen and shut down.
2. What is the cause of cardiac arrest?
Cardiac arrest is the outcome whenever the electrical system of the heart malfunctions resulting in irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). A common type of arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation, a condition where the ventricles beat chaotically and quiver like a bag of worms without any output. Several factors (cardiac and noncardiac) may lead to cardiac arrest. However, approximately 60-70% of cases result from coronary artery disease or heart attack. Other important causes include cardiomyopathy, heart failure, trauma, hypovolemia (e.g from excess bleeding), drowning, poisoning, low blood sugar, very low temperature and metabolic disorders. Similarly, risky behaviours such as smoking, excess alcohol and lack of physical exercise as well as obesity and diabetes may increase a person's chances of experiencing cardiac arrest.
3. What are the signs and symptoms?
It is instructive to note that an impending cardiac arrest may not give any warning. However, it may be preceded by symptoms such as dizziness, breathlessness, fainting, blackouts and vomiting among others. Immediately a person goes into arrest, the pulse becomes undetectable and they become unconscious since the brain has shut down. The breathing becomes abnormal and soon stops.
4. How is cardiac arrest diagnosed?
Traditionally, a diagnosis of cardiac arrest is made in the absence of carotid pulse in a patient who is unconscious. Furthermore, numerous tests can also be carried out to detect the underlying cause of cardiac arrest in order to prevent a recurrence among survivors. Such investigations include electrocardiography to diagnose the pattern of arrhythmia, echocardiography, toxicology screening and so on.
5. How is cardiac arrest treated?
Research has shown that early commencement of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation is key to ensuring the best outcome in cardiac arrest. Hence, the chain of survival involves early action by witnesses of the arrest who should call for help immediately while starting urgent CPR to buy time before a defibrillator can be accessed. Effective CPR involves chest compressions to maintain circulation to vital organs and rescue breathing for oxygenation. As soon as it is established that the arrest is 'shockable', an automated external defibrillator (AED) is applied to shock the heart back to normal rhythm while CPR is continued until pulse returns. Medications such as adrenaline, atropine, vasopressin and amiodarone are also useful in some cases of cardiac arrest.
6. Preventing cardiac arrest
In survivors of cardiac arrest, the need to prevent a repeat attack cannot be overstressed. They must adopt heart-healthy lifestyles including quitting smoking or excess alcohol, regular exercises, consumption of low-salt, low-fat diets as well as plenty of fruits and vegetables.
In conclusion, it's needless to mention that such persons would require regular follow-up visits to assess the condition of the heart.
In the light of the foregoing, here are a few things you should know about cardiac arrest.
1. It can lead to death within minutes
Sadly, 95% of patients who go into cardiac arrest never survive it. Why? If urgent intervention is not available right from the site of the incident up to the hospital, chances of survival are very slim. However, an intervention as simple as chest compression may be life-saving if started immediately. Once the heart stops pumping blood, vital body organs particularly the brain are deprived of oxygen and shut down.
2. What is the cause of cardiac arrest?
Cardiac arrest is the outcome whenever the electrical system of the heart malfunctions resulting in irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). A common type of arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation, a condition where the ventricles beat chaotically and quiver like a bag of worms without any output. Several factors (cardiac and noncardiac) may lead to cardiac arrest. However, approximately 60-70% of cases result from coronary artery disease or heart attack. Other important causes include cardiomyopathy, heart failure, trauma, hypovolemia (e.g from excess bleeding), drowning, poisoning, low blood sugar, very low temperature and metabolic disorders. Similarly, risky behaviours such as smoking, excess alcohol and lack of physical exercise as well as obesity and diabetes may increase a person's chances of experiencing cardiac arrest.
3. What are the signs and symptoms?
It is instructive to note that an impending cardiac arrest may not give any warning. However, it may be preceded by symptoms such as dizziness, breathlessness, fainting, blackouts and vomiting among others. Immediately a person goes into arrest, the pulse becomes undetectable and they become unconscious since the brain has shut down. The breathing becomes abnormal and soon stops.
4. How is cardiac arrest diagnosed?
Traditionally, a diagnosis of cardiac arrest is made in the absence of carotid pulse in a patient who is unconscious. Furthermore, numerous tests can also be carried out to detect the underlying cause of cardiac arrest in order to prevent a recurrence among survivors. Such investigations include electrocardiography to diagnose the pattern of arrhythmia, echocardiography, toxicology screening and so on.
5. How is cardiac arrest treated?
Research has shown that early commencement of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation is key to ensuring the best outcome in cardiac arrest. Hence, the chain of survival involves early action by witnesses of the arrest who should call for help immediately while starting urgent CPR to buy time before a defibrillator can be accessed. Effective CPR involves chest compressions to maintain circulation to vital organs and rescue breathing for oxygenation. As soon as it is established that the arrest is 'shockable', an automated external defibrillator (AED) is applied to shock the heart back to normal rhythm while CPR is continued until pulse returns. Medications such as adrenaline, atropine, vasopressin and amiodarone are also useful in some cases of cardiac arrest.
6. Preventing cardiac arrest
In survivors of cardiac arrest, the need to prevent a repeat attack cannot be overstressed. They must adopt heart-healthy lifestyles including quitting smoking or excess alcohol, regular exercises, consumption of low-salt, low-fat diets as well as plenty of fruits and vegetables.
In conclusion, it's needless to mention that such persons would require regular follow-up visits to assess the condition of the heart.
