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Sudden cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac death, occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. Sudden cardiac arrest usually causes death if not treated within minutes.
Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same thing as a heart attack. A heart attack is a problem with blood flow to a part of the heart muscle and the heart usually does not suddenly stop beating. Sudden cardiac arrest, however, may occur during recovery from a heart attack.
Symptoms
Usually, the first sign of sudden cardiac arrest is loss of consciousness, which is similar to fainting. At the same time, breathing often stops and no heartbeat can be felt. Some people may first notice that they have a racing heartbeat or feel dizzy or lightheaded just before they faint.
Diagnosis
Sudden cardiac arrest happens without warning and requires immediate treatment. Sudden cardiac arrest is often diagnosed after it happens, by ruling out other causes of the patient's sudden collapse. A physician may order or perform one or more assessments:
Treatment
Sudden cardiac arrest happens without warning and requires immediate treatment with a defibrillator - a device that sends an electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. To be effective, defibrillation must be provided within minutes of cardiac arrest. Additional treatments may include angioplasty to restore blood flow through blocked coronary arteries, or ICD implantation to continuously deliver an electric shock to the heart when a dangerous rhythm is detected.
The Heart and Vascular Center at Providence offers a variety of resources to evaluate and treat patients who have experienced sudden cardiac arrest:
Physicians
Need current list of relevant physicians.
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