The term “cardiac arrest” refers to the complete cessation of cardiac activity, the state of clinical death. Cardiac arrest is accompanied by symptoms such as loss of consciousness, noisy and rare breathing, lack of pulse in large arteries, pale skin, dilated pupils after a few minutes. Before cardiac arrest, a person may experience chest pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and weakness.
Sudden cardiac arrest can occur for a number of reasons, including ventricular fibrillation (the absence of a single myocardial contraction, while chaotic contractions of individual ventricular muscle fiber bundles occur); ventricular asystole (complete cessation of electrical activity of the heart); electromechanical dissociation (lack of mechanical activity of the heart in the presence of electricity).
Up to 250,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest in Russia each year. It is noted that the trend is increasing. At the same time, men are more prone to the problem. People with heart conditions are at particular risk. The most common cause of cardiac arrest is coronary artery disease, which accounts for about 80% of cases. Also, sudden cardiac arrest can occur in patients suffering from cardiomyopathies, a congenital heart disease.
In addition to heart disease, drug poisoning, electrolyte disturbances, kidney disease, drug exposure, trauma, and respiratory problems can trigger cardiac arrest. High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and a previous heart attack can also increase the risk of cardiac arrest.
The risk of sudden cardiac arrest can be reduced through medical prophylaxis, regular health checks and avoiding bad habits. Prevention of the problem is especially important for patients who are at risk or who have already suffered a heart attack. It is important to take into account that at the first symptoms of a sharp deterioration of the condition, loss of consciousness, it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance. Timely cardiopulmonary resuscitation before the arrival of medical personnel increases the chances of survival.
