What happens during cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart is no longer beating. There are several causes of cardiac arrest, such as:

  • Anaphylaxis
  • Disturbance in the heart rhythm
  • Drugs/poisoning
  • Heart disease/Heart attack
  • Traumatic injury/blood loss

When Cardiac arrest occurs, the body does not have circulating blood providing oxygen to the cells. During Cardiac Arrest the lack of flowing blooding caring oxygen causing the body's cells to die. Brain cells are very sensitive, after 4 to 5 minutes of no oxygen the brain cells begin dying leading to brain damage and death.

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1. Why is the heart so important?
2. What happens during cardiac arrest?
3. What is the purpose of CPR?