Hjartaútfalli

Hjartaútfalli, also known as cardiac arrest, is a sudden and unexpected loss of heart function. The heart abruptly stops beating, leading to a cessation of blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

The most common cause of cardiac arrest is an electrical disturbance in the heart, often due to underlying heart disease. This disturbance, called a ventricular arrhythmia, can cause the heart to quiver uncontrollably or stop beating altogether. Other contributing factors can include severe trauma, drug overdose, or a sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle itself, known as a heart attack.

Symptoms of cardiac arrest are typically sudden and dramatic. They include a loss of consciousness, no pulse, and no breathing. In some cases, individuals may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations in the moments leading up to the event, though this is not always the case.

The survival rate for cardiac arrest depends heavily on how quickly effective treatment is administered. The primary treatment is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm. Prompt initiation of CPR can help maintain blood flow to the brain, while defibrillation can restore a regular heartbeat. Emergency medical services play a crucial role in providing advanced care and transport to a hospital for further management and recovery.