A 50-year-old member asked:
Is there a connection between cardiac arrest and brain damage?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Shahin Tavackolianswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Yes: cardiac arrest leads to lack of blood flow to the brain and after just a few minutes there is usually irreversible damage
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Barry Sheppardanswered
Thoracic Surgery 36 years experience
Yes: When the heart stops (cardiac arrest) blood and oxygen are no longer provided to the organs in the body. The brain is one of the most sensitive organs in such a situation and can have permanent damage if CPR is not started (or spontaneous cardiac function does not occur) in as little as 5 minutes when the body is at normal temperature.Anoxic Brain Injury can occur when other organs are unharmed
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 21, 2021
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