A 40-year-old member asked:
how long can the heart stop before you get brain damage?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Goldsmithanswered
Specializes in Critical Care
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.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Gutti Raoanswered
Hospital-based practice 46 years experience
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 31-year-old member asked:
Can 2 minute heart stop cause brain damage ?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Osman Farooqanswered
Pediatric Neurology 20 years experience
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.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
How long can you go if heart stops before brain damage occurs?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Bennett Werneranswered
Cardiology 44 years experience
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.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Jan 29, 2021
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
$30 per visit with
membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.