If you or someone around you is experiencing signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw or back, call 911 immediately. Do not wait or try to drive yourself to the hospital. Every second counts, and emergency responders can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital.
Cardiac arrest is an emergency medical condition that occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping. When the heart stops beating, organs and tissues throughout the body are deprived of the oxygen and nutrients they need to function.
Immediate treatment is needed to restart the heart and get blood flowing again. The team of experts at the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute can provide emergency care for cardiac arrest to improve the chances of survival.
While people often mention cardiac arrest and heart attack together, they aren’t the same thing. A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Think of a heart attack as a plumbing issue. Cardiac arrests, on the other hand, are caused by abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias. These heart rhythm abnormalities can cause the heart to stop pumping entirely, cutting off blood flow away from the heart. A heart attack can lead to a subsequent cardiac arrest.
If cardiac arrest isn’t treated promptly, the condition can be fatal within a few minutes. Quick intervention with an automated external defibrillator (AED), followed by emergency treatment, is key to survival.
Cardiac arrest, sometimes called sudden cardiac arrest, occurs quickly and often without warning. If someone is experiencing a cardiac arrest, they may:
- Collapse and lose consciousness
- Not be breathing or have difficulty breathing
- Not have a pulse
- Not respond to shouting or shaking
In many cases, those who experience cardiac arrest don’t experience any obvious signs beforehand. In some cases, though, they may experience:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
These symptoms usually occur in the hour before a cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death. As the heart stops pumping, blood stops flowing to other parts of the body, including the brain. This can cause irreversible damage within minutes.
Each year, cardiac arrest causes up to 450,000 deaths in the United States. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, cardiac arrest is fatal for nine out of 10 people experiencing the heart problem outside of a hospital.
Immediate intervention is needed to improve the chances of survival. In cases where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed immediately, the American Heart Association reports that odds of survival can double or triple. The use of an AED to restart the heart is even more essential in improving prognosis.
Lifestyle changes are often recommended to help patients manage symptoms, reduce complications and improve heart health. Talk with your provider about how these heart-healthy changes can help.
- Eat a healthy diet. Get plenty of fruits and veggies, lean meats, nuts, beans, fish and whole grains. Limit sodium, added sugars and unhealthy fats.
- If you smoke, quit. Smoking can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Avoid vaping and secondhand smoke as well.
- Keep updated on vaccines. Ask your provider about flu, COVID-19 and other vaccines that can help you avoid illness.
- Limit alcohol. Men should have no more than two drinks per day and women should aim for no more than one drink each day.
- Manage other health problems. Take medication for high blood pressure and diabetes and follow your provider’s guidance.
- Sleep well every night. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night.
- Stay physically active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. Talk to your provider about what exercises are good for you. Be sure to watch for signs that your heart is working too hard. If you become short of breath or dizzy while exercising, stop and rest.
- Watch your weight. Take steps to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
If you have experienced a past cardiac arrest or certain dangerous heart rhythms, such as ventricular fibrillation, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be recommended to lower your risk.
Having a heart problem is the most significant risk factor for sudden cardiac arrest. Common heart conditions that increase overall risk can include:
- Arrhythmias: Problems causing the heart to beat faster, slower or abnormally
- Congenital heart defects: Defects with the structure of the heart that are present at birth
- Coronary artery disease: A buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries that cuts off blood flow to the heart
- Heart failure: A progressive condition that causes your heart to not pump enough blood
- Heart infection: Damage to the heart often caused by bacterial or viral infections
- Structural heart issues: Defects in the structure of the heart
While heart problems cause most cardiac arrests, about half occur in people who were unaware they had a heart issue. Other risk factors to note include:
- Being Black
- Being male
- Being obese
- Being older
- Experiencing major electrolyte changes in the blood
- Having a family or personal history of arrhythmia or cardiac arrest
- Having diabetes
- Using recreational drugs
In rare instances, experiencing a hard blow to the chest can lead to cardiac arrest, a condition known as commotio cordis.
As the area’s most advanced emergency department — and home to the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute — UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital is the preferred choice for patients experiencing emergency, life-threatening cardiac events. Whether you arrive by ambulance or are transferred from another hospital, you can rest assured that you are in the hands of the region’s most advanced interventional cardiology team.
By the time you get to the hospital via emergency transport, Emergency Medical Services or the team that facilitated your transfer will have shared your symptoms and any known diagnosis with our emergency department.
Patients experiencing heart attack symptoms bypass our emergency room and are taken to the cardiac catheterization lab to reduce the time it takes to start treatment. For heart patients taken to our emergency department, our team of emergency medicine doctors and interventional cardiologists are ready to provide imaging exams, bloodwork, additional tests or any needed emergency procedures.
Following emergency treatment, you may recover in our Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit before being transferred to your hospital room. Once you are ready to go home or to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, you will be assigned a UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologist for any ongoing care needed.
Our interventional cardiology team helps patients regain good heart health every day. We also participate in clinical trials to enhance interventional cardiology treatment and management in the future.
Our team engages in trials to investigate new advances. Because of this, you have access to the latest treatment options available.
If you’re a candidate for an ongoing trial, your care team will discuss this option with you.
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