Sudden cardiac arrest can have devastating consequences for the people who survive. Survival rates vary depending on the speed at which medical treatment is given. The person may need rehabilitation to regain skills. Too long without oxygen can lead to brain damage. Not only has that, but the absence of oxygen also affected other organs. Failure of the kidneys or liver can occur, and the person may have long-term heart disease. Symptoms of cardiac arrest can include:
Carotid pulse
If you notice the absence of a central pulse, then you may be experiencing a cardiac arrest. A carotid pulse is one of the signs of cardiac arrest. It should be checked at least five seconds before the person collapses. During this time, you should also check their pulse. Ideally, you should be able to detect a cardiac arrest within 10 seconds. If you are unsure, it is best to seek medical help right away.
To test for a carotid pulse during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, you need to know how to perform the maneuver. It is crucial to determine whether the victim is experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest, or if he is having a slow heart rate. If you find a pulse, call 911 and begin CPR. Otherwise, call a physician immediately. In the meantime, you can practice carotid pulse detection to help save the life of a loved one.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen suddenly, when the heart stops pumping or when a single artery is blocked. The blockage can cause the heart to stop pumping and ultimately destroy its muscle. The person may be conscious, but the situation may be severe enough to call for emergency medical services. If you detect any of these symptoms, call 911 and use an automated external defibrillator to restart the heart.
There are other ways to identify the presence of a ROSC. You can check the person’s pulse with a pulse oximeter by pressing the sensor against his fingertip. Carotid pulse symptoms of cardiac arrest may be accompanied by pain or weakness. A person with a weak pulse often experiences difficulty moving or speaking. If you notice that a person has a weak pulse, you should immediately call 911 or your doctor.
Irregular Heartbeat
An irregular heartbeat may be a symptom of cardiac arrest. The underlying cause of this condition isn’t always obvious. The heart has special cells that produce an electrical signal that travels throughout the heart. When these cells are not firing at the right rate, they cause abnormal heart rhythms, which are known as arrhythmias. Although most arrhythmias are harmless, they can increase the risk of a stroke or cardiac arrest. These irregular heartbeats are often diagnosed by counting heartbeats per minute (bpm) during rest. According to the American Heart Association, a healthy resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm.
The electrical system of the heart controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. When this electrical system fails to work properly, the heart’s rate may become abnormally fast or slow. These abnormal heartbeats can stop the heart from pumping blood into the body. When this happens, the ventricles of the heart fail to beat normally and the heart is unable to pump blood. This can result in death.
An abnormal heartbeat can also lead to heart failure or cardiac arrest. In some severe cases, it can cause a patient to faint or even die. Treatment for arrhythmias varies, but a qualified medical professional can diagnose the condition and give advice on how to treat it. In some cases, medications or lifestyle changes are necessary to control the condition. If you’re concerned that your arrhythmia may be a symptom of cardiac arrest, see your doctor for a consultation.
An arrhythmia can cause sudden cardiac death. Arrhythmias affect around 100,000 people in the UK each year. Early diagnosis of arrhythmia can prevent fatal outcomes. Certain triggers include alcohol, tobacco, change in posture, and viral infections. Treatment for arrhythmias usually focuses on preventing the next episode. By reducing or eliminating these triggers, people can prevent the arrhythmia from happening.
Brain Damage
A cardiovascular arrest is a traumatic event that causes significant long-term disability. Survivors may develop brain injuries caused by the lack of oxygen in the blood. Symptoms of brain injury may include immobility, weakness, and memory loss. Cognitive impairments include difficulty with attention and concentration and problems with visual-motor skills. Although most of these symptoms will improve over time, others may remain permanent. This article explores some of the possible mental health outcomes following cardiac arrest.
While most people who suffer cardiac arrest do not survive, those who do experience a sudden cardiac arrest often experience significant neurological damage. Survivors may experience brain injury and disorder of consciousness. Other long-term effects may include changes in physical wellbeing and reduced quality of life. If a cardiac arrest victim survives, it’s important to know about the symptoms of brain damage and how to deal with them. This information may help you decide if you or someone you love is at risk for these problems.
The brain recovery rate after cardiac arrest can be significantly improved with therapeutic hypothermia, one of the few medical practices known to enhance the recovery of the brain. It is a proven method that reduces the body’s metabolism and delays the brain’s oxygen needs until the rest of the body recovers. This treatment has been recommended by the American Heart Association since 2005. Although it may be difficult to administer, it is essential for survival.
During resuscitation, a complex sequence of events occurs. In addition to tissue damage, a decreased blood supply triggers a systemic inflammatory response. Proinflammatory factors in the gastrointestinal tract cause the release of circulating neutrophils. The immune cells then begin to invade the central nervous system and attack brain cells. While most cases are resuscitated, patients may still develop brain edema.
Depression
A heart attack victim’s symptoms may include depressed mood, anxiety, or loss of interest in normal activities. Although these symptoms are often confused with depression, they are not necessarily indications of cardiac arrest. The symptoms of both heart disease and depression are often overlapping. The importance of treating post-heart attack depression has been stressed by many in the medical community. Survivors should be aware of depression symptoms so that they can make the appropriate treatment decisions.
Depressed people experience intense sadness. The symptoms of this illness are similar to those of depression, including decreased energy, loss of appetite, sweating, and dyspnea. The difference between the two is the cognitive style. A depressed person may have negative thoughts or feel helpless despite the fact that their heart is functioning properly. If you are worried that you are experiencing depression, speak to your doctor. It may be time to seek a different medication or try a new treatment strategy.
In addition to these physical changes, the condition also affects the nervous system. Untreated depression can affect your heart’s rhythm, causing an arrhythmia. These heart rhythm abnormalities can prove fatal when combined with cardiac damage. Some people with depression also have unusually sticky platelets in their blood. These sticky platelets cause blood clotting and may increase your risk of coronary artery disease. While the depressed mood is a normal occurrence following a heart attack, if it is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, treatment may be necessary.
Regardless of severity, addressing the symptoms of depression after a heart attack is very important. Mental health professionals can screen for depression and offer treatment. A person suffering from depression may miss important appointments, skip medications, or intensify unhealthy habits. For those suffering from cardiac arrest, reaching out to other people and seeking professional help is often the best way to deal with the symptoms of depression. They may also neglect physical activities and follow a healthier diet to regain their health.
Anxiety
Anxiety is an extremely common symptom in patients with cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks. This is not surprising, since heart attacks can be traumatic events that cause a great deal of anxiety, similar to PTSD. Anxiety can also adversely affect the heart by preventing patients from following recommended health behaviors and resulting in a poor outcome. Fortunately, many heart attack victims have overcome this anxiety through psychotherapy.
There are several potential biological mechanisms for the connection between anxiety and CVD. High levels of phobic anxiety and panic disorder are associated with an elevated risk of CVD. Inflammation and abnormalities in blood clotting are also linked to anxiety. And these two disorders may increase the risk of heart attacks, too. Furthermore, they may contribute to the development of diabetes mellitus. Although more research is needed to fully understand the connection between anxiety and cardiovascular diseases, these symptoms are important to recognize.
Although anxiety is a natural symptom of cardiac arrest, the best way to deal with it is to get support from others who understand the condition. Support groups can help you get emotional support, discuss your concerns with your physician, and learn how to cope with anxiety. It is also a good idea to follow a heart-healthy diet and physical exercise. Additionally, you should get adequate rest so you can cope with anxiety and reduce the risk of cardiac arrest.
Researchers conducted systematic searches of the English literature using PubMed, Embase, and APA PsycInfo databases. The lack of adequate SCA cases complicates studies that study the relation between anxiety and SCA. However, studies that include longer follow-up periods may better capture this process. Moreover, they may help researchers determine the biological pathways that are linked to anxiety and SCA. It is also worth mentioning that the study also shows that anxiety contributes to the increased risk of SCA.