Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest (also called sudden cardiac arrest, SCA or sudden cardiac death) is when the heart stops beating. This is a medical emergency, as cardiac arrest can be fatal in a matter of minutes without treatment.

If someone near you experiences cardiac arrest, call 911 and perform CPR until a medical team arrives. If someone else is with you, tell them to search for an AED (automated external defibrillator) and use it by following the prompts.

Every second counts when it comes to cardiac arrest. The team at Goshen Heart & Vascular Center provides emergency care for cardiac arrest with compassion and expertise. Our leading-edge facility has a cardiac hybrid suite that equips our fellowship trained cardiologists and surgeons to perform lifesaving surgical treatments. Our ambulances feature advanced communications systems, so the emergency doctors and staff can be prepared when a patient arrives at the hospital.

Don’t wait for an emergency like a heart attack or cardiac arrest to take control of your heart health. Let Goshen Heart & Vascular Center support you – starting today. Talk to your primary care provider about a heart screening. Or, if you want to talk to someone at the Heart & Vascular Center, call (574) 533-7476 to make an appointment.

Sudden cardiac arrest signs and symptoms

Cardiac arrest is often confused with a heart attack, but they are two different types of heart conditions. A heart attack can sometimes cause cardiac arrest. However, a heart rarely stops beating during a heart attack.

Right before cardiac arrest, you may feel chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, fainting or an irregular heartbeat. The signs of cardiac arrest are clear: You will be unconscious, unresponsive and have no heartbeat or pulse.

Treating the cause of cardiac arrest

There are several causes of cardiac arrest. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) accounts for 80 to 90 percent of cardiac arrest. VF is an arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat, that causes your heart's ventricles to beat too fast. It requires defibrillation.

Other causes include heart conditions, such as heart attack, electrical abnormalities, coronary artery disease, heart muscle disease and cardiomyopathy, as well as drug abuse.

To prevent possible cardiac arrest, trust our expert team at Goshen Heart & Vascular Center to treat and monitor any existing heart conditions, as well as offer Rehabilitation Therapy and guidance in maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Taking care of your heart can go a long way in preventing Heart & Vascular conditions. We are here to support your journey toward heart health and cardiac arrest prevention.