Question 1

how long can the heart stop before you get brain damage?

Accepted Answer

Not very long: The brain is extremely sensitive to anoxia (being without oxygen). Depending on other medical issues, after approx 5 minutes brain damage can occur, which is why it is so important to begin CPR immediately.

Question 2

can 2 minute heart stop cause brain damage ?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Any time your heart stops pumping, the blood in your arteries and veins stops flowing.  Therefore all of the organs are not getting the blood they need to function.  The brain is a very sensitive organ and can get damaged if it is not receiving proper blood flow.   There are ways to check the brain for such damage.  Talk to your doctor about seeing a neurologist.

Question 3

how long can you go if heart stops before brain damage occurs?

Accepted Answer

2-4 minutes: It depends on age, temperature, cause of cardiac arrest, whether or not CPR is done and other factors but 2-4 minutes is about it.

Question 4

how long can your heart stop beating before you have permanent brain damage?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac arrest: If you are warm and not breathing and no chest compressions, 3 minutes approximately will yield irreversible brain damage, if you are hypothermic it could be signficantly longer.

Question 5

would it be possible that a heart attack really cause permanent brain damage. if so, how?

Accepted Answer

Secondary: A heart attack is heart  damage.
But if the heart attack causes low blood pressure, shock, hypoxia, cardiac arrest etc. Then brain damage can occur.
Atrial fibrillation, clotting and embolism  to the brain can cause strokes as well.

Question 6

is it possible for open heart surgery at 9 days old cause brain damage or problems?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Congenital heart surgery on newborns is very risky. Most lesions are very complicated and the kids are already very sick.

Question 7

i took sudafed and bp went to 217/117 from normal, had heart pain, headache, blood urine, ringingears, visual spots, would brain damage be permanent?

Accepted Answer

Probably not, but...: That is  dangerously high bp! if it remained like that for more than 10-15 minutes, given those symptoms a trip to the er is in order!

Question 8

could a pacemaker keep an individuals heart beating after a cardiac arrest. if the answer to the above question is yes, then how long would it continue to assist the heart in beating and would it help to prevent brain damage until medical help arrives.

Accepted Answer

Yes. : Yes. A pacemaker is placed in the heart to prevent the heart from beating too slow. As an example a pacemaker may be set to ensure the heart beats 70 times a minute. If your intrinsic heart beats slower than 70, or if your heart stops beating (as in a cardiac arrest), then the pacemaker will send an electrical impulse to the heart to keep beating at 70 beats per minute.
To avoid brain damage, the person must also be breathing normally. If the person is not breathing normally (10-20 breaths per minute),  call 911 and initate cpr.

Question 9

can serotonin syndrome cause brain damage/dementia/heart damage? took high dose adhd meds and effexor (venlafaxine).

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Serotonin Syndrome may cause fevers and seizures but unlikely dementia or heart failure.

Speak with your doctor if you are concern of the dosage and quantity of your medications

More info on serotonin syndrome: 
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/serotonin-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20028946

Question 10

resp. infection?pain in lungs and middle of chest, shortness of breath, for 3months. running makes it worse. i am also suspicious of heart/brain damage

Accepted Answer

Infection?: If you are having these symptoms you definitely need to see a doctor asap.  The internet is no place in which to solve problems of this nature.  Go and be evaluated and i hope that things are less dire than you suspect. Good luck.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

How long can the heart stop before you get brain damage

A member asked:

How long can the heart stop before you get brain damage?

A member asked:

Can 2 minute heart stop cause brain damage ?

A member asked:

How long can you go if heart stops before brain damage occurs?

A member asked:

How long can your heart stop beating before you have permanent brain damage?

A member asked:

Would it be possible that a heart attack really cause permanent brain damage. if so, how?

A member asked:

Is it possible for open heart surgery at 9 days old cause brain damage or problems?

A member asked:

I took sudafed and bp went to 217/117 from normal, had heart pain, headache, blood urine, ringingears, visual spots, would brain damage be permanent?

A member asked:

Could a pacemaker keep an individuals heart beating after a cardiac arrest. if the answer to the above question is yes, then how long would it continue to assist the heart in beating and would it help to prevent brain damage until medical help arrives.

A member asked:

Can serotonin syndrome cause brain damage/dementia/heart damage? took high dose adhd meds and effexor (venlafaxine).

A member asked:

Resp. infection?pain in lungs and middle of chest, shortness of breath, for 3months. running makes it worse. i am also suspicious of heart/brain damage

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?