Cardiac arrest is the term used when the patient’s heart beat, circulation of blood and respiration suddenly and unexpectedly stop due to disturbed electrical activity within the heart.

 What causes cardiac arrest?

The most common cause of a cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation (VF). In VF, the electrical activity of the heart becomes erratic, causing the heart to quiver or ‘fibrillate’ instead of beating normally. VF can be caused by a number of different heart-related problems, including:

• Heart attack
• Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis)
• Heart failure
• Some heart rhythm conditions, such as Long QT syndrome.

Ventricular fibrillation can also happen as a result of events unrelated to heart disease such as:

• Suffocation or choking
• Electrocution
• Loss of a lot of blood such as hemorrhage
• Allergic reaction
• Drowning
• Drug overdose

What are the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest?

For many people, a cardiac arrest comes without any warning signs. However, some people do experience some warning signs before a cardiac arrest. These can include:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Palpitations
• Fainting
• Breathlessness

Someone who has already had a cardiac arrest will be:

• Unconscious
• Unresponsive
• Not breathing

How is cardiac arrest treated?

A cardiac arrest is a medical emergency which is often fatal if not treated quickly with a combination of cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation.

CPR is a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions. It provides oxygen to the lungs and keeps oxygenated blood circulating until an effective heartbeat and breathing can be restored. By knowing and performing CPR, you may save a life.

Before starting CPR, check:

• Is the environment safe for the person?
• Is the person conscious or unconscious?
• If the person appears unconscious, tap or shake his or her shoulder and ask loudly, “Are you OK?”
• If the person doesn’t respond and two people are available, have the other person begin CPR.
• If you are alone and have immediate access call to ambulance and began CPR.

Remember to spell C-A-B

Chest compressions 

Open the airway

Rescue Breathing

Uses the letters C-A-B — compressions, airway, breathing — to help people remember the order to perform the steps of CPR.

Compressions: Restore blood circulation

1. Put the person on his or her back on a firm surface.
2. Kneel next to the person’s neck and shoulders.
3. Place the heel of one hand over the center of the person’s chest, between the nipples. Place your other hand on top of the first hand. Keep your elbows straight and position your shoulders directly above your hands.
4. Use your upper body weight (not just your arms) as you push straight down on (compress) the chest at least 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters) but not greater than 2.4 inches (approximately 6 centimeters). Push hard at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions a minute.

Airway: Open the airway

• If you’re trained in CPR and you’ve performed 30 chest compressions, open the person’s airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver. Put your palm on the person’s forehead and gently tilt the head back. Then with the other hand, gently lift the chin forward to open the airway.

Breathing: Breathe for the person

Rescue breathing can be mouth-to-mouth breathing or mouth-to-nose breathing if the mouth is seriously injured or can’t be opened.

1. With the airway open (using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver), pinch the nostrils shut for mouth-to-mouth breathing and cover the person’s mouth with yours, making a seal.
2. Prepare to give two rescue breaths. Give the first rescue breath — lasting one second — and watch to see if the chest rises. If it does rise, give the second breath. If the chest doesn’t rise, repeat the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver and then give the second breath. Thirty chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths is considered one cycle. Be careful not to provide too many breaths or to breathe with too much force.
3. Resume chest compressions to restore circulation.
4. Continue CPR until there are signs of movement or emergency medical personnel take over.

Video link for CPR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozzZVQQTvo4