The statistics are overwhelming. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur. By knowing what to do in an emergency, you can give victims of cardiac arrest a second chance at life. What to do in an Emergency 1. Know the signs of cardiac arrest in order to recognize a medical emergency when it occurs.
Cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and dramatically.
When the heart goes into cardiac arrest, the heart's electrical impulses become chaotic. This irregular heart rhythm, called ventricular fibrillation, causes the heart to stop suddenly. During cardiac arrest, a victim loses consciousness, stops normal breathing and loses pulse and blood pressure . Cardiac arrest can be caused by several factors, including heart attack, electrocution, drowning or trauma, or it can have no known cause. CPR can help keep the cardiac arrest victim alive until emergency help arrives.