India
A 24-year-old member asked:
Question: what is cardiac arrest really?
2 doctor answers • 18 doctors weighed in

Dr. Saurabh Shahanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Heart stoppage: A cardiac arrest literally translates to heart stop. Ultimately this means that heart's main function to pump blood to vital organs has abruptly halted. The heart may fail to pump when the electrical impulse which signals the heart muscle when to pump becomes too fast, too slow, or even if normal in the event that the muscle is unresponsive to the current.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Seth Akstanswered
Anesthesiology 23 years experience
Stopped heart: Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops pumping blood forward . The stoppage is usually due to to a change in the heart's electrical rhythm that prevents the muscle cells from squeezing in an organized fashion. Cardiac arrest can also occur with a normal heart rhythm, if the heart is too weak to pump blood or too empty to have blood to pump. In any case, immediate resuscitation is needed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
Saudi Arabia
A 20-year-old female asked:
Is cough really helpful during a cardiac arrest? If yes, then why and how?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Rick Kochanswered
Cardiology 24 years experience
This has never: Been scientifically proven.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Tony Su commented
Pulmonary Critical Care 35 years experience
Not during a cardiac arrest when a patient is unresponsive. However if you're having palpitations and your heart is racing a forced cough may be able to stop a cardiac arrhythmia known as supraventricular tachycardia.
Mar 20, 2013
Last updated Sep 15, 2017
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