sydänpysähdyksenä

Sydänpysähdys, also known as cardiac arrest, is a sudden and unexpected loss of heart function. The heart abruptly stops beating effectively, which prevents it from pumping blood to the brain, lungs, and other vital organs. This is a life-threatening emergency.

The most common cause of sydänpysähdys is an electrical disturbance in the heart, often due to a condition called ventricular fibrillation. This is where the heart's lower chambers quiver chaotically instead of pumping blood. Other causes can include heart attack, severe trauma, drowning, or drug overdose.

Symptoms of sydänpysähdys are immediate and severe. The person will typically collapse, lose consciousness, stop breathing or have abnormal, gasping breaths, and will have no pulse. Prompt recognition and immediate action are crucial.

The primary treatment for sydänpysähdys is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED). CPR manually pumps blood to the organs, while an AED can deliver an electric shock to try and restore a normal heart rhythm. The sooner these interventions are started, the higher the chance of survival. Emergency medical services should be contacted immediately. The outcome depends on the underlying cause and the speed of treatment.