Cardiac arrest

Overview

Cardiac arrest is the sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness. It usually results from an electrical disturbance in the heart. It's not the same as a heart attack.

Symptoms

In addition to loss of heart function, cardiac arrest also causes loss of breathing and consciousness.

Treatments

This medical emergency needs immediate CPR or use of a defibrillator. Hospital care often is drugs, an implantable device, or other procedures.