A woman named Hoffman experienced a sudden cardiac arrest while walking in New York City. She collapsed outside Memorial Sloan Kettering and was saved by two passing nurses. Cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care if you’re young, fit, or have never had a heart problem in your life.
In fact, the American College of Cardiology says every 90 seconds, someone experiences cardiac arrest in America. There could be 960 victims today. Tomorrow, it will be another 960. Cardiac arrest strikes without warning, giving you mere minutes to act before permanent damage occurs. Yet many of these emergencies could be prevented if you could understand the warning signs.
Cardiac arrest causes are usually linked to the heart’s electrical system and the impulses that regulate your heartbeat. While some causes are genetic, they often affect children as well as young adults. So, how can you recognize cardiac arrest causes before it’s too late? Read on to explore the causes and symptoms of cardiac arrest across different age groups to save a life when it matters the most.
What is Cardiac Arrest?
Your heart is the toughest organ in your body. Its primary function is to pump oxygenated blood throughout the organs. Cardiac Arrest is a condition in which your heart suddenly stops beating due to a sudden malfunction in your heart’s rhythm. This will disrupt the pumping action of the heart and hinder the flow of blood to the body. The condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage to the brain and other vital organs.
What are the Types of Cardiac Arrest?
According to the American Heart Association, over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen each year in the United States alone, and about 90% of them are fatal without immediate treatment. This can occur in several types based on the underlying cause, including,
Primary Cardiac Arrest
Primary cardiac arrest happens when the heart itself suddenly fails due to electrical problems. The heart may beat too fast, too slow, or in a chaotic rhythm. The most dangerous ones are ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). It’s quick, often without warning, and usually linked to heart disease, blocked arteries, or inherited electrical disorders. It’s fast and unpredictable, but can be reversed if treated quickly with CPR and a defibrillator.
Secondary Cardiac Arrest
Here, the heart stops because something outside the heart overwhelms the body. Common causes include drowning, trauma, overdose, or severe lack of oxygen.
Doctors often talk about the “H’s and T’s”. These are the reversible causes to look for in secondary arrest:
- H’s: Hypoxia, Hypovolemia, Hydrogen ion (acidosis), Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia
- T’s: Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade (cardiac), Toxins, Thrombosis (heart or lungs)
Treatment focuses on fixing the root cause (oxygen, blood, antidote, or pressure relief) while giving CPR.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
SCA is when the heart suddenly stops pumping due to an electrical failure, most often VF or pulseless VT. It can be the first visible sign of a heart problem, even in people who didn’t know they had one. SCA is not the same as a heart attack, though a heart attack can trigger it. Survival depends on fast CPR and defibrillation.
Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)
SCD is the outcome when a sudden cardiac arrest isn’t reversed in time. Despite the name, it doesn’t mean death comes instantly. It means the person didn’t survive the arrest even after medical attempts. Most cases occur due to arrhythmias like VF or VT and happen outside hospitals, where help may arrive too late.
Aborted Sudden Cardiac Death
This term is used when someone survives sudden cardiac arrest because of fast CPR and defibrillation. These patients often need long-term care and may receive an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to prevent future episodes.
Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
In PEA, the monitor shows electrical signals, but the heart isn’t pumping, and no pulse is felt. It usually signals a severe systemic problem like hypoxia, severe acidosis, massive bleeding, or tamponade. Unlike VF or VT, it can’t be treated with a shock. The focus is on strong CPR and fixing the underlying cause quickly.
Asystole (Flatline)
Asystole is what people often call a flatline. On a heart monitor, there’s no electrical activity, just a straight line. That means the heart is completely still, not beating at all, and there’s no chance of a pulse. This type of cardiac arrest has the worst outcome, and it cannot be treated with a shock. In these cases, CPR is started, and doctors try to reverse any possible cause, like low oxygen or potassium levels.
Read More: How do you deal with death after giving CPR?
Is Cardiac Arrest A Heart Attack?
Absolutely not, cardiac arrest and heart attack are two entirely different conditions that affect the heart of an individual. However, they are often confused with one another due to a few similar symptoms.
Heart attacks involve blocked blood flow to the heart muscle, while cardiac arrest means the heart stops beating entirely. A heart attack can trigger cardiac arrest, but they require different immediate responses. Take a look at the brief comparison of the two conditions, so that you can respond to each emergency appropriately.
| Aspect | Heart Attack | Cardiac Arrest |
| Primary Cause | Blocked coronary arteries, preventing blood flow to the heart muscle | Electrical malfunction causing the regulation to stop beating |
| Common Triggers | Blood clots, plaque buildup, and coronary artery disease | Ventricular fibrillation, heart attack, arrhythmias |
| Consciousness | Person remains awake and can speak or respond | Immediate unconsciousness – cannot be awakened |
| Breathing | Continues normally, though may be short of breath | Stops completely or becomes agonal gasping |
| Pulse | Usually detectable, though it may be irregular | No pulse – the heart stops beating effectively |
| Onset | Gradual development over minutes or hours | Sudden onset – all symptoms appear instantly |
| Chest Pain | Often crushing, squeezing, or burning sensation | Usually, no chest pain (person is unconscious) |
| Skin Color | May appear pale or sweaty | Quickly turns blue, gray, or pale due to oxygen loss |
| Response Time | Minutes to hours available for treatment | Seconds to minutes – immediate action required |
| Survival Rate | Higher with prompt medical treatment | Less than 10% without immediate CPR and defibrillation |
What Can Cause Cardiac Arrest?
Most cardiac arrests are caused by irregularities in heart rhythm, known as arrhythmia. There are a variety of types of cardiac arrhythmia, which vary based on heartbeat rate, where some are more worrisome than others. But what causes sudden cardiac arrest that can be life-threatening? Such severe types of arrhythmias include:
Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia that happens when the ventricles (lower chambers of your heart) don’t beat normally and flutter out of control. Ventricular fibrillation is the most frequent cause of cardiac arrest, which can lead to death if not treated promptly.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation occurs when the atria (upper chambers of your heart) fail to send the correct electrical impulses, causing an irregular heartbeat. While atrial fibrillation is abnormal and can increase stroke risk due to blood clots, it rarely leads directly to cardiac arrest. Most people with A-fib can live normal lives with proper management.
Structural Heart Conditions
Structural Heart conditions affect the physical structure of the heart and may go undetected for years without noticeable symptoms, making them particularly dangerous. It includes,
- Coronary Artery Disease: CAD gradually narrows or blocks the arteries feeding your heart muscle. When blood flow gets severely restricted, it can trigger those dangerous heart rhythms that lead to cardiac arrest.
- Heart Valve Disease: It involves stretching or thickening of the heart valves, impeding normal blood flow. These dysfunctional valves strain the heart muscles, which can induce cardiac arrest.
Blood Vessel Abnormalities
Abnormalities in the blood vessels can affect blood flow to the heart and disrupt the normal heart rhythms. For instance, conditions like aortic aneurysms or vascular malformations may increase the risk of cardiac arrest. A ruptured aortic aneurysm, where the body’s main artery tears or bursts, can cause immediate cardiac arrest due to massive internal bleeding and sudden loss of blood pressure.
Structural Heart Problems
Sometimes your heart’s physical structure causes problems. Birth defects, enlarged hearts, and damaged heart valves can all disrupt normal heart function and create electrical instabilities that trigger cardiac arrest.
Electrolyte Imbalances
Your heart depends on precise levels of potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium to maintain its electrical activity. When these get severely out of balance, they can disrupt your heart’s signals and cause cardiac arrest.
Drug-Related Causes
Both illegal drugs and certain prescription medications can trigger cardiac arrest. Cocaine and methamphetamines are particularly dangerous, but even some prescribed medications can affect heart rhythm. Opioid overdoses have become a leading cause of secondary cardiac arrest due to respiratory depression. Always discuss potential interactions with your healthcare provider.
Drowning and Choking
When oxygen levels plummet dramatically, your heart can simply stop working. These situations demand immediate intervention to restore breathing and get circulation going again.
What Causes Sudden Cardiac Arrest In Young People?
There’s a rising incidence of cardiac arrest in seemingly healthy young adults. In fact, research from the JAMA journal indicates that Cardiac arrest occurs in 4 to 14 per 100,000 healthy young adults aged 18 to 40 years worldwide each year. Let us explore some plausible causes for the condition,
Inherited Heart Rhythm Risks
For individuals aged 35 and below, an inherited condition could be the primary cardiac arrest. These genetic conditions include vulnerabilities in heart rhythm, including,
- Long QT Syndrome, a congenital disorder of the heart’s electrical system that can cause sudden fast heartbeats and disruptions in heart rhythm.
- Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, CPVT, leads to fainting followed by cardiac arrest with exertion as an early symptom.
- Brugada Syndrome is a genetic change in how your heart’s electrical system manages sodium and its role in rhythm conditions. It can worsen with prolonged exposure to heat, fever or certain medications.
- Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome causes an extra electrical pathway that can lead the heart to pump too fast.
Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome
This condition strikes young, seemingly healthy people without warning. It’s often caused by inherited genetic conditions that affect heart rhythm. Your family history becomes incredibly important in identifying these risks.
Aortic Dissection
Marfan Syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that can lead to tears in the heart’s aortic blood vessel. It could lead to aortic dissection, which is a rare yet often fatal condition. This genetic condition is often observed in tall individuals, such as basketball players. However, the condition involves multiple physical markers that affect connective tissue throughout the body.
Intense Physical Activity
While exercise generally benefits your health, extreme physical exertion can sometimes trigger cardiac arrest in people with undiagnosed heart conditions. This explains why athletes undergo such comprehensive cardiac screening.
Emotional Stress
Severe emotional trauma or stress can actually trigger cardiac arrest in some people. This condition, known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or “broken heart syndrome,” is a real medical condition where intense stress causes the heart muscle to weaken temporarily, mimicking the symptoms of a heart attack.
Read More: Stress and Depression: How It Affects Heart Ailments
What are the Cardiac Arrest Causes in Infants and Children?
A common misconception about cardiac arrest is that it only affects adults. However, cardiac arrest can also affect infants and children. In fact, a study in the NIH found that, every year, over 15,000 pediatric cardiac arrests occur in the United States. So, what could be the cause of cardiac arrest in children? Let us explore some common reasons behind the cardiac arrest episodes in infants and children:
- Congenital Heart Defects
These are heart abnormalities present at birth, such as aortic valve stenosis, atrial septal defect, or coarctation of the aorta. They can disrupt the way the heart pumps blood and make children more vulnerable to cardiac arrest.
Example: A newborn diagnosed with a severe valve defect may need surgery within weeks of birth to prevent heart failure or arrest.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
This inherited condition causes the heart muscle to become abnormally thick, which can interfere with the electrical system and trigger sudden arrest.
Example: Teen athletes with undiagnosed HCM sometimes collapse unexpectedly during practice or games.
- Commotio Cordis
This happens when a sudden blow to the chest causes the heart to go into ventricular fibrillation. Timing is everything. It usually occurs if the strike happens during a specific moment in the heartbeat cycle.
Example: A young baseball player struck in the chest by a fast pitch suddenly collapses despite having a healthy heart.
- Myocarditis
An inflammation of the heart muscle, often caused by viral infections, toxins, or autoimmune reactions. It weakens the heart and can lead to dangerous arrhythmias.
Example: A child recovering from a viral flu may develop viral myocarditis, which silently stresses the heart until it causes sudden arrest.
- Respiratory Problems
Asthma, pneumonia, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), or choking can deprive a child of oxygen, eventually causing the heart to stop.
Example: An infant with untreated RSV infection may struggle to breathe, leading to a cascade that ends in cardiac arrest.
- Poisoning, Metabolic Disorders, or Allergic Reactions
Rare but possible, certain toxins, severe metabolic imbalances, or strong allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can interfere with the body’s normal systems and trigger cardiac arrest.
Example: A severe peanut allergy reaction left untreated can quickly progress from breathing difficulty to cardiac arrest.
How to Recognize Cardiac Arrest?
Now that you know the cardiac arrest causes, what happens before the cardiac arrest? Some early warning signs may appear hours before cardiac arrest, though they occur in only about 50% of cases. In fact, the US Military Health System reports that women experience symptoms for several weeks before a cardiac emergency. These symptoms may appear hours or even days before an arrest, especially in women. Some of them include:
- Chest Pain or Discomfort
You may feel pressure, tightness, or aching in your chest area that differs from typical heartburn or muscle pain. This pain often radiates to your left arm, jaw, or back and may come and go intermittently.
- Shortness of Breath
Difficulty breathing or feeling like you can’t catch your breath during normal activities you previously handled easily. You might notice breathlessness when climbing stairs or walking short distances that never bothered you before.
- Heart Palpitations
Irregular heartbeat, racing heart, or feeling like your heart is skipping beats or fluttering in your chest. These sensations may last seconds to minutes and can occur at rest or during light activity.
- Sudden Fatigue
Unexplained exhaustion or weakness that occurs without physical exertion or sleep loss. You may feel drained after minimal activity or experience overwhelming tiredness that interferes with daily tasks.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Feeling faint, unsteady, or like you might pass out, especially when standing up quickly or changing positions. This may be accompanied by blurred vision or the feeling that the room is spinning around you.
- Nausea or Vomiting
Stomach upset that appears suddenly without an obvious cause, like food poisoning or illness. This may be accompanied by cold sweats, indigestion, or a general feeling of being unwell.
What Happens During Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest symptoms often strike without any warning. While some individuals might experience the above-mentioned subtle signs, some may appear healthy till the occurrence of a cardiac emergency. Here is what happens during sudden cardiac arrest,
- Sudden Collapse
The person falls to the ground without warning and becomes completely unresponsive to any verbal or physical stimulation. They may fall forward, backward, or to the side, depending on their position when cardiac arrest occurs.
- Loss of Consciousness
They cannot be awakened by shouting their name, shaking their shoulders, or using any other stimulation methods. Their eyes may remain open but show no response to light or movement in their field of vision.
- No Normal Breathing
Breathing stops entirely or becomes irregular, gasping (agonal breathing) within 10-15 seconds of collapse. Agonal breathing appears as occasional, labored gasps that are not effective for oxygen exchange and indicate cardiac arrest. Sometimes they are often mistaken for normal breathing by which can lead to delays in CPR.
- No Detectable Pulse
You cannot feel a pulse at the wrist (radial), neck (carotid), or any other location on the body. The heart has stopped pumping blood effectively, eliminating the rhythmic pressure waves that create a detectable pulse.
- Skin Color Changes
Skin quickly turns pale, blue (cyanotic), or gray due to lack of oxygen circulation throughout the body. This color change typically appears first around the lips, fingernails, and face before spreading to other areas.
What to Do If You Witness a Cardiac Arrest Emergency?
When cardiac arrest occurs, your actions in those first few minutes are absolutely crucial. A proper response can triple or even quadruple survival chances. Here’s what to do during a cardiac arrest emergency:
Call 911 Immediately
Don’t hesitate or try to drive the person to the hospital yourself. Emergency medical services have specialized equipment and training that can save lives in ways you simply can’t.
Start CPR Right Away
Begin chest compressions immediately. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest at least 2 inches deep. High-quality CPR has a significant impact on survival outcomes, whether the emergency happens inside or outside the hospital.
Use an AED if Available
Unfortunately, only 50% of people can locate an automated external defibrillator when needed. Take a few minutes this week to scout out the AEDs in places you frequent regularly. When you’re at work, the gym, school, or shopping centers, you can find the AED cabinets, usually near main entrances, elevators, or high-traffic areas. Follow the device’s voice prompts exactly as given.
Continue Until Help Arrives
Don’t stop CPR until emergency responders take over. Even if you get tired, keep those chest compressions going. Switch with another person if possible to maintain effectiveness.
Who Is at Risk for Cardiac Arrest?
The most terrifying aspect of cardiac arrest is how it can strike without obvious warning signs. You are also at risk for cardiac arrest if you have or experience the following factors:
| Risk Factor | Why It Matters |
| High Blood Pressure | Damages blood vessels and weakens the heart over time; a major cause of heart disease (CDC). |
| Diabetes | High blood sugar harms blood vessels and nerves controlling the heart, raising arrest risk. |
| Obesity | Excess weight strains the heart; AHA data shows higher risk even in younger adults (25–44). |
| High Cholesterol | High LDL builds artery blockages; low HDL fails to protect against this buildup. |
| Smoking | Chemicals in tobacco cause inflammation and blood clots, both of which can trigger arrest. |
| Physical Inactivity | Lack of movement increases heart disease risk, while exercise lowers it. |
| Excessive Alcohol Use | Heavy drinking raises blood pressure and can cause abnormal heart rhythms. |
| Age | Risk rises after 45 for men and after 55 for women, as arteries stiffen and blockages increase. |
| Gender Differences | Men face earlier risk; women’s risk rises sharply after menopause. |
| History of Heart Attack | Scar tissue from past attacks can cause dangerous arrhythmias that trigger arrest. |
| Genetic Conditions | Inherited disorders like Long QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, or HCM can cause sudden arrest. |
| Environmental Triggers | Extreme cold/heat, high altitude, or chemical exposure can provoke cardiac arrest in vulnerable individuals. |
Self-Assessment Checklist
Take a moment and tick the risks that apply to you:
- I have high blood pressure
- I have diabetes
- I am overweight or obese
- I have high cholesterol
- I smoke or use tobacco products
- I live a sedentary lifestyle
- I drink excessive alcohol
- I am over 45 (men) / over 55 (women)
- I have a history of heart attacks
- I have a family history of sudden cardiac arrest or genetic heart conditions
- I am often exposed to extreme environmental conditions
How to Prevent Cardiac Arrest?
While you can’t prevent all cardiac arrest causes, you can significantly reduce your risk through smart lifestyle changes and proper medical care. Here’s how you can do it,
Regular Health Screenings
Schedule annual checkups with your healthcare provider. Discuss your family history and any symptoms you’ve experienced. Early detection of heart problems can prevent cardiac arrest from occurring.
Lifestyle Modifications
Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking completely. Limit alcohol consumption and manage stress effectively. These changes reduce many cardiac arrest causes significantly and protect your heart health.
Medication Management
Take prescribed medications exactly as directed. Discuss all medications and supplements with your healthcare provider to avoid potentially dangerous interactions.
Learn CPR and AED Use
Everyone should know basic CPR and how to use an AED. These skills can save lives in your family, workplace, or community when emergencies strike.
Read More: The Advantages of Getting Trained on an AED
Guard Your Heart Health with the Right Knowledge!
Cardiac arrest affects everyone from infants in their cribs to young athletes at peak performance, and even seemingly healthy adults without warning. While you can’t control your age or genetics, you can manage the risk factors like blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking through proper lifestyle changes.
But awareness about cardiac arrest causes alone isn’t enough. Knowledge about its risk factors protects you from becoming a victim. Moreover, CPR training empowers you to save others. When cardiac arrest strikes, immediate CPR can triple survival chances. So, don’t wait for an emergency to wish you had these skills. The life you save could be someone you love. Enroll in an online CPR course and get certified to save lives. An online course allows you to learn life-saving techniques from home, at your own pace.
FAQs
- Do you know how to respond to cardiac arrest?
Call 911 immediately, then start chest compressions hard and fast in the center of the chest at least 100 times per minute. Use an AED if available. Don’t stop CPR until emergency responders arrive. Quick action within the first few minutes dramatically increases survival chances.
- How long can someone survive cardiac arrest without CPR?
Brain damage begins within 4-6 minutes without oxygen. After 10 minutes without CPR, survival becomes extremely unlikely. However, immediate CPR can improve the chances by maintaining blood flow to vital organs until emergency medical services arrive and advanced life support begins.
- Can medications cause cardiac arrest?
Certain medications can trigger dangerous heart rhythms leading to cardiac arrest, especially when combined or taken inappropriately. These include some antiarrhythmics, antidepressants, antibiotics, and illegal drugs like cocaine. Always inform doctors about all medications and supplements you’re taking to avoid dangerous interactions.
- How to stop cardiac arrest in 30 seconds?
Cardiac arrest can’t be “stopped” instantly, but you can save a life by acting fast. Call emergency services, start CPR with hard chest compressions, and use an AED if available. Quick action within 30 seconds keeps blood flowing until help arrives.
