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.
