Cardiac arrest can strike without warning. Do you suspect someone is having a cardiac arrest? The signs are:

• Sudden loss of responsiveness – The person does not react, even if you tap them hard on the shoulders or ask loudly if they are okay. The person does not move, speak, blink or react in any other way.
• No normal breathing – The person is not breathing or is only gasping for air.

What to do

If you think the person may be in cardiac arrest and you are a trained layperson:

• Ensure safety on stage.
• Check for responsiveness.
• Cry for help. Tell someone nearby to call 911 or your 911 number. Ask that person or another medical responder to bring you an AED (automated external defibrillator) if one is on hand. Tell them to hurry. Time is critical. If you are alone with an adult who has signs of cardiac arrest, call 911 and get an AED (if one is available).
• Check for no breathing or only gasps. If the person is not breathing or only gasping, begin CPR with compressions.
• Manage CPR. Push down at least two inches into the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 thrusts per minute. Allow the chest to return to its normal position after each push.
• Use an AED. As soon as it arrives, turn it on and follow the instructions.
• Continue CPR. Administer it until the person starts breathing or moving, or until someone with more advanced training, such as an EMS team member, takes over.

What treatment will I receive at the hospital?

Tests will be done to assess your condition. The test results can help the health care team decide on a treatment plan to reduce your risk of long-term health problems and death.

Your health care professional will closely monitor your heart. They will also focus on preventing organ damage, especially to your brain.

You may receive one or more of the following treatments:

• Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) is a treatment to lower body temperature to help protect the brain. Cooling blankets, cooling helmets, ice packs or other cooling methods can be used.
• Oxygen treatment helps you get enough oxygen to keep your organs working while you recover.
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment pumps your blood through an artificial lung. It adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from your blood before returning it to your body. ECMO takes stress off your lungs and heart to promote healing.

What other tests and treatments can I receive?

Your healthcare professional will try to find out what caused your cardiac arrest. Some tests you may have include:

If you are diagnosed with coronary heart disease, treatment may include:

These treatments help restore blood flow through narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.

Genetic testing can be recommended for you and your blood relatives. This test is done because some conditions that can increase the risk of cardiac arrest run in families.

It is important to find out what caused your cardiac arrest. It’s also important for your family members to find out if they may be at risk for cardiac arrest because of an inherited condition or a gene that puts them at greater risk for one.

Am I at risk of another cardiac arrest?

If you have had a cardiac arrest, you may be at risk of having another.

Your healthcare professional can advise you to get one implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). This can happen during your hospital stay or shortly afterwards. Or you may be asked to wear an external defibrillator. Both can save your life by giving a low-energy shock to your heart to restore a normal heart rhythm if ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia occurs.

People with an ICD have some limitations, although many can resume their normal activities.

How do I live with an ICD?

ICD batteries usually last four to seven years. Your healthcare professional should check them every three to six months.

Talk to your healthcare professional about your activities. Ask them what you can and can’t. Also ask what types of machinery or equipment you should avoid. Those with magnets and strong electric fields can interfere with your ICD’s function.

You should also:

• Tell airport security that you have an ICD. Tell them not to use handheld metal detectors on you.
• Tell your other healthcare professionals, including your dentist, that you have an ICD.
• Tell the doctors and nurses that you have one every time you go to the hospital.
• Always carry a card with your ICD information and emergency contact information so others know you have one in case of a medical emergency.

What if I am anxious about living with my ICD?

It is common for people to feel anxious or depressed, especially in the first months or year after getting their ICD. You need to know that you are not alone or without support. If you have these feelings, talk to your health care professional and get help.