cardiac arrest

The heart stops beating effectively, and the person collapses, stops breathing normally and has no pulse. The rhythm is often ventricular fibrillationventricular fibrillationven-TRIK-yuh-ler fib-ruh-LAY-shunA heart rhythm in which the lower chambers quiver in a fast, chaotic way instead of pumping.ventricul/o ventricle-ar relating tofibrill small fiber, twitching-ation processFull entry Close or pulseless ventricular tachycardiaventricular tachycardiaven-TRIK-yuh-ler tak-ih-KAR-dee-uhA fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles), usually over 100 beats per minute.ventricul/o ventricletachy- fastcardi/o heart-ia conditionFull entry Close, which can be shocked, or asystole and pulseless electrical activity, which cannot. Without CPRcardiopulmonary resuscitationkar-dee-oh-PUL-muh-nair-ee rih-sus-ih-TAY-shunEmergency chest compressions, with or without rescue breaths, to keep blood flowing when the heart has stopped.cardi/o heartpulmon/o lung-ary relating toresuscitation bringing back to lifeFull entry Close and defibrillationdefibrillationdee-fib-ruh-LAY-shunAn electric shock given to the heart to stop a chaotic, life-threatening rhythm so a normal rhythm can return.Full entry Close within minutes, brain damage and death follow. It is not the same as a heart attack (myocardial infarctionmyocardial infarctionmy-oh-KAR-dee-ul in-FARK-shunDeath of part of the heart muscle because its blood supply is blocked; a heart attack.my/o musclecardi/o heart-al having to do withinfarct area of dead tissueFull entry Close), although a heart attack can cause it.

Check for a response and a pulse, call for help and start chest compressions at once: 100 to 120 per minute, at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep in an adult. Use an AEDautomated external defibrillatorAW-tuh-may-tid ek-STER-nul dee-FIB-ruh-lay-terA portable device that checks the heart rhythm through pads on the chest and gives an electric shock if one is needed.Full entry Close as soon as it arrives.