Warning Signs of Cardiac Arrest

Don’t ignore these symptoms. Prompt action can save a life.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate action.

Also known as arrested heart or SCA, sudden cardiac arrest is caused by the unexpected loss of heart function. It usually results in stalled breathing, little-to-no pulse and a loss of consciousness, triggered by an electrical surge in the body that interrupts the heart’s usual rhythm.

This disruption in breathing and lack of blood flow to the brain and other organs can be fatal if not treated immediately. In fact, just around 10% of patients who have cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive the incident, underlining the importance of emergency response and early detection.

Fortunately, there can be warning signs of cardiac arrest, and if you know your risk factors, you can take steps to reduce them.

“Studies have shown that over half of sudden cardiac arrest patients had warning signs, but those signs can vary widely between people,” says Faiz Subzposh, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Geisinger. “Knowing the full range of signs might help patients gauge their risk and give us a head start on treatment.”

Men are most likely to have the condition, which becomes more prevalent as you age. Those with a history of heart disease, an arrhythmia or other heart problems are also at a higher risk. Here’s what to know to protect your health — and how to respond to help save a life.

Cardiac arrest vs. heart attack

“Sudden cardiac arrest shouldn’t be confused with a heart attack, which is brought on by a disturbance in blood flow rather than our electrical current,” says Dr. Subzposh. “While a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, they are not the same event.”

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing the heart to stop beating effectively. As a result, blood flow to the brain and vital organs stops within seconds.

A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is disrupted, either by a blood clot or buildup of cholesterol plaque that creates a blockage in the coronary arteries.

During a heart attack, a person is often awake and may have chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea or sweating. Cardiac arrest, by contrast, causes sudden loss of normal breathing and consciousness. Most people survive heart attacks, while an arrested heart can be fatal without rapid intervention.

Warnings signs of cardiac arrest

Warning signs of cardiac arrest can appear up to 2 weeks before the episode. Chest pain is most commonly reported by men, while women usually report shortness of breath.

You may also have unexplained fainting or dizziness, extreme fatigue or a racing heart.

Many patients report flu-like symptoms, which can complicate reporting and prevention.

“When the warning signs of cardiac arrest are seemingly minor, flu-like symptoms, it can be hard to take them seriously,” says Dr. Subzposh, explaining that this might be why only 1 in 5 patients who notice the symptoms choose to report them. “But, on the other hand, we don’t want to create anxiety.”

If you have warning signs and risk factors, don’t wait to seek emergency care. They can do an exam and run tests to assess your heart health — and start treatment, if necessary, in hopes of preventing a cardiac event.

Cardiac arrest risk factors

The most common risk factors for heart disease are also indicators for sudden cardiac arrest. But other medical conditions and lifestyle factors also play a role.

Cardiac arrest risk factors include:

A family history of coronary artery disease or other heart diseases
Arrhythmia
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Smoking
Obesity
Diabetes
Substance abuse

Other potential factors include a family or personal history of cardiac episodes, sedentary lifestyle or nutritional imbalance.

“Knowing your risk factors and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important steps in cardiac arrest prevention,” says Dr. Subzposh.

Being prepared makes a critical difference

If these risk factors affect you or a loved one, it’s important to take precautions.

“Routine checkups and regularly taking prescribed medication are vital steps in protecting heart health,” says Dr. Subzposh. “But your doctor may also recommend an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) device, which senses and prevents cardiac episodes.”

Families can also look into an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the home, though these can be costly. These machines use electric pulses to restart the heart, helping the patient continue breathing while help arrives. Knowing CPR can also provide critical assistance as you wait for emergency response.

Many cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital, and early action saves lives.

“With early recognition of cardiac arrest symptoms, immediate CPR and prompt defibrillation, survival from an arrested heart is possible,” says Dr. Subzposh. “Being prepared can make a critical difference when seconds count.”