Cardiac arrest

Updated: 2017-06-13

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.