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Cardiac Stoppage Recovery

Cardiac stoppage, also known as sudden cardiac arrest, is a common, life-threatening problem. Survivors face a difficult road to recovery. The first three or four weeks after suffering a heart attack are the most difficult but may be vital in the prevention of future heart problems.

  1. Sudden Cardiac Arrest

    • Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops. Cardiac arrest has a number of causes, such as blockage of the coronary artery. Cardiac arrest causes the blood to fail to pump around the body properly, meaning that it may not reach organs such as the brain. Without the oxygen supplied by the blood, these organs may begin to die, causing them damage. Quick response to the onset of cardiac arrest is vital to recovery.

    Initial Recovery

    • The American Heart Association estimates that less than 5 percent survive a sudden cardiac arrest and must undergo the recovery process. Initially, a person who has suffered sudden cardiac arrest will be admitted to a hospital for observation. The longer that the heart was stopped, the more damaged the organs may be. Brain and organ death begin to occur four to six minutes after cardiac arrest. If damage has occurred, surgery may be necessary in an attempt to rectify any damage.

    ICDs

    • Internal cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be surgically implanted in sudden cardiac arrest survivors to help to reduce the chance of a second cardiac stoppage. They are electrical devices that are attached to the heart. If the ICD senses that the heart is beginning to beat in an irregular way that may indicate an impending stoppage, it provides a short electric charge to the heart that is intended to regulate the heart beat.

    Lifestyle

    • An ICD is only part of the recovery process. A survivor of a sudden cardiac arrest is still at risk of developing heart disease again and possibly suffering another cardiac stoppage. The diet should be changed, lessening the amount of fat and foods high in cholesterol that are ingested, to try to avoid blockages in the arteries. Where possible, regular exercise should be maintained to strengthen the heart.

    Considerations

    • Immediate response to sudden cardiac arrest is vital. Call an ambulance right away and use CPR to attempt to start the heart pumping again. It is important for survivors of sudden cardiac arrest to visit their doctor regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle, because people who have suffered one heart stoppage are at high risk for a second attack.

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