Which description best fits sudden cardiac arrest?

• A. It occurs gradually over hours
• B. It is a sudden loss of heart function
• C. It is caused by stroke
• D. It is the same as a heart attack

Answer: (B)

Sudden cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of the heart’s ability to pump blood. It happens quickly, often with collapse, no pulse, and abnormal or no breathing. It’s typically caused by a dangerous heart rhythm that stops effective circulation, such as ventricular fibrillation. Because every second counts, immediate CPR and the use of an AED as soon as possible are critical to survival. This is different from a heart attack, which is usually a blockage causing chest pain and potential heart muscle damage but not an abrupt stop in heart function, and from a stroke, which is a brain blood vessel problem.