Andy Armstrong

Cardiac Arrest - What are the Signs and Risk Factors You Need to Know



Posted: Saturday, January 08, 2011

by Andy Armstrong
http://cardiopulmonaryarrest.org

Cardiac arrest can happen at any moment. Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, a heart attack causes damage to the heart muscle, cardiac arrest is complete dysfunction of the heart muscle. That's why cardiac arrest requires immediate medical attention, as it otherwise will lead to death within a few minutes. We will take you through a few of the symptoms you need to look for.

While there are many lifestyle and health factors that can make someone more vulnerable to cardiac arrest, there are not always any obvious warnings before it occurs. Men in their thirties and forties are the most likely to suffer from sudden cardiac arrest even though most heart conditions are associated with older people. SCA can strike men and women at any age, however. Cardiac arrest can take down an apparently healthy person who isn't suffering from symptoms. If you see someone who you think may be experiencing cardiac arrest, get medical help immediately even if they don't look likely to suffer from heart problems. If treatment is not received within minutes of the first signs, it can cause death.

A person with unhealthy habits such as smoking, excessive drinking or being overweight may not show overt signs of cardiac arrest or other heart problems, but they are increasing their risk for these problems. Some who suffer with cardiac arrest will have warning signs or even be told by their doctor that blood pressure or cholesterol is too high many happen without notice. It's for this reason you need to eat smart, quit smoking and avoid alcohol even if you don't have heart disease. Because of the fact that most cardiac arrests are fatal it's important that you take this advice seriously.

You should talk to your doctor about prevention methods if you or someone in your family is concerned about cardiac arrest. By talking to your doctor you can find out about any lifestyle changes you need to make or they may even suggest getting an internal defibrillator. A less extreme measure to take is buying an external defibrillator which is what is used to get the heart beating again. These are the devices used by emergency technicians, but they can also be purchased privately. But before you purchase any machinery, talk to your doctor about your risk factors for cardiac arrest and what can be done to prevent it. In summary, cardiac arrest is an extremely dangerous medical event and any warning signs should be considered a reason to get emergency help right away. Living a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent cardiac arrest but it isn't possible to predict when it might happen. That's why you should watch for the warning signs, such as the ones discussed above.
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