Overview
Cardiac arrest causes collapse and death within minutes without treatment.
When to get urgent help
Call emergency services, start CPR and use an AED immediately.
Causes and risk factors
Heart attack, cardiomyopathy, inherited rhythm disorders, drowning and severe bleeding.
How it develops (pathophysiology)
A chaotic rhythm such as ventricular fibrillation, or no electrical activity, stops the heart pumping. Without blood flow, the brain is damaged within minutes.
Signs and symptoms
Sudden collapse, no breathing or abnormal gasping, and no pulse.
How it is diagnosed
Recognised by unresponsiveness and absent normal breathing.
Possible complications
Brain injury and death.
Medicines
Adrenaline and other drugs during advanced resuscitation.
Other treatments
Immediate CPR and defibrillation with an AED.
Living with it and prevention
Treat heart disease and learn CPR.
Outlook
Survival depends on fast CPR and defibrillation.
