Cardiac arrest
Updated: 2017-06-13
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.