Definition of Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is the sudden, abrupt loss of heart function, in which the heart stops pumping blood effectively and circulation halts. Without immediate intervention it is fatal within minutes, as the brain and vital organs are deprived of oxygen. It differs from a heart attack, which is a circulation (plumbing) problem — though a heart attack can trigger cardiac arrest.

It is most often caused by dangerous arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, but can also present as asystole or pulseless electrical activity. The response is the chain of survival: early recognition, immediate CPR with quality chest compressions, rapid defibrillation with an AED, and advanced care including epinephrine.

Recognizing and responding to cardiac arrest within seconds is the core focus of CPR Certification Labs' hands-on, AHA-aligned BLS, ACLS, and PALS training.

Medical Definition & Meaning

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Comprehensive CPR Training for Adults, Children, and Infants

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