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Alternative names Return to top
First aid - heart attack; First aid - cardiopulmonary arrest; First aid - cardiac arrestDefinition Return to top
A heart attack is a condition in which damage to an area of heart muscle occurs because of inadequate oxygen supply to the region. Cardiac arrest is a condition in which the heart stops or is otherwise unable to pump enough blood to supply vital organs. Cardiopulmonary arrest is a sudden cessation of both breathing and effective heart function.Considerations Return to top
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America today.
Heart attacks may cause immediate cardiac arrest (cease in heartbeat) or may progress to cardiac arrest. However, not every heart attack causes cardiac arrest.
Many heart attack victims die before they reach a hospital. The average person waits 3 hours before seeking help for symptoms of a heart attack. The sooner someone gets to the emergency room, the better his or her chance of not only surviving, but also of minimizing heart damage following the attack.
Causes Return to top
In adults, causes of heart attack include clot formation or spasm in one of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. These and other similar conditions block the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of the heart, leading to damage or death of the cells in that area. Most often, this occurs in an artery that has been narrowed from changes related to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Other causes for cardiac arrest may include drowning, suffocation, electrical shock, severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), drug overdose, and trauma.
Babies and children rarely suffer heart attacks. Atherosclerotic heart disease is extremely rare in infants and children. The primary cause for cardiac arrest in children is a preceeding respiratory arrest (cessation of breathing). This may occur for a number of reasons including drowning, suffocation, electrical shock, illness, poisoning, and inhaling or swallowing a foreign object (foreign body aspiration).
Symptoms Return to top
In adults:
Note: Heart attacks may be associated with a wide range of symptoms, from subtle to intense. Women and elderly persons are more likely to experience subtle or atypical symptoms. The victim often denies that he or she may be having a heart attack.
In babies and children:
First Aid Return to top
Do Not Return to top
Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if Return to top
Prevention Return to top
Adults should take steps to control heart disease risk factors whenever possible. If you smoke, quit. Smoking more than doubles the chance of developing heart disease. Keep blood pressure and diabetes in good control and comply with your doctor's prescription orders.
Follow your total cholesterol levels and modify your diet if necessary. Lose weight if obese, and follow a regular exercise program to improve cardiovascular fitness. (Consult your health care provider before starting any new fitness program.)
Limit your alcohol intake. One drink a day is associated with reducing the rate of heart attacks, but consuming two or more drinks a day can damage the heart and cause other medical problems.
Teach safety to young children and create a safe environment for them to prevent accidents that may lead to cardiac arrest.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |