Most cardiac arrests occur in the older generation. Teenagers and the young can also experience the condition. Although rare, sudden cardiac arrest requires immediate action due to malfunction of the heart’s electrical system leading to the heart’s inability to pump blood effectively. Deaths are reported when a second occurrence is not dealt with promptly through CPR and defibrillation. It is vital to discuss the causes and warning signs of cardiac arrest and prevention measures.
What is Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops beating due to malfunction. The heart’s lower chambers do not contract resulting in fainting spells or loss of consciousness due to the absence of a pulse. Cardiac arrest differs from a heart attack even though both are closely related. The latter occurs when the heart’s muscles do not receive adequate oxygenated blood supply leading to damage. On the other hand, the former is characterized by failure of the heart to pump blood as expected, which in turn leads to a heart attack.
Why Cardiac Arrest Can Occur at a Young Age?
There are several causes of cardiac arrest in the young generation. These include:
Genetics
In some cases, cardiac arrest can run in families, and hence it is important to note the family history of SCA (sudden cardiac arrest) and consult a doctor frequently. Some of the conditions that can be passed from one generation to another include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. All these are congenital heart problems.
Congenital Heart Disease
This is the second leading cause of SCA amongst the young. It is a birth defect that predisposes a person to irregular heartbeats also known as arrhythmia. In some cases, people can undergo surgical procedures to repair the defect. The same procedures can also trigger SCA due to malfunction of the heart’s rhythm.
Myocarditis
This term refers to the inflammation of the heart muscles. The condition occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood due to a lack of power. Lack of power can be brought about by inadequate blood supply to the heart muscles.
Coronary Artery Anomalies
This is a heart condition that is triggered by a number of abnormalities affecting the coronary arteries. The disease can either be congenital or acquired as one grows older due to atherosclerosis.
Electrical Heart Disorders
Some people are born with irregular heartbeats such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. It is important for such individuals to take medication to deal with the condition. As a result, it is vital to always take the drugs as prescribed to reduce the chances of SCA occurring.
Substance Abuse
Abuse of substances such as cocaine and amphetamines can trigger dysrhythmia, which can later lead to SCA. On the other hand, anabolic steroids are very harmful to the heart and can directly cause SCA when used together with other medication. Mixing anabolic steroids with other bodybuilding drugs can also lead to heart problems.
Strenuous Physical Activity
It is true that physical activity is essential to everyone as it prevents many diseases, including cardiac arrest. However, people should be very cautious with vigorous sports activities as they can lead to SCA, especially when there is an underlying condition. Everyone, therefore, needs to get their stress tests done to determine the amount of physical activity that is safe for them.
Electrolyte Imbalances
Sometimes, people get ill and are unable to consume fluids due to vomiting or diarrhea. This can cause severe dehydration, which can in turn interfere with the electrolyte levels, thereby disrupting normal heart function. On the other hand, anorexia nervosa can also be a risk factor for a cardiac arrest since the person lacks essential nutrients for the heart to function properly.
Chronic Diseases
Having chronic illnesses such as anemia, hypertension, and diabetes can greatly increase the risk of experiencing cardiac arrest.
Other Causes The other causes of sudden cardiac arrest include anaphylaxis, electric shock, extreme anemia, chest trauma, and drug-induced QT prolongation.
Warning Signs of Cardiac Arrest
The warning signs of cardiac arrest are different depending on the cause of the condition. Most people describe having uncomfortable sensations or pain while in the middle of strenuous activities, and the symptoms disappear when they rest. Others state that they experience fainting spells and lose consciousness together with the chest pains. Some people also claim to have seizures, while others have heart palpitations and shortness of breath accompanies the symptoms. In addition, warning signs of SCA also include a family history of sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, if any of the signs mentioned above occur, it is essential to consult a doctor to mitigate the situation.
Who is at Higher Risk?
People at a higher risk of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest include those with a family history of cardiac arrest, cardiomyopathy, or congenital heart conditions. Also, people with unexplained heart tests, those in stressful professions or participation in contact sports. In addition, people who regularly take illicit drugs are also at risk.
How is the Cause of Cardiac Arrest Determined?
Your doctor may recommend any of the following diagnostic procedures to determine the cause of cardiac arrest: electrocardiogram, echocardiography, Holter or event monitor, stress tests, MRI, CT coronary angiography, EPS testing, blood tests, genetic screening, and family screening.
Can Cardiac Arrest be Prevented?
There are various ways of preventing cardiac arrest. They include screening tests for sudden unexplained fainting or palpitations for those at risk of experiencing SCA. In addition, it is vital to take drugs to control irregular heartbeats. Sports screening tests are also important, especially for those with a family history of SCA for them to understand the amount of physical activity that they should do. It is also essential to avoid smoking and substance abuse, engage in physical activity, and eat healthy food. Managing chronic diseases and viral infections that contribute to cardiac arrest is also crucial. For instance, people should seek medical intervention for illnesses that cause shortness of breath and chest pains. It is important to always take the medication that has been prescribed to manage heart conditions and prevention drugs or antibiotics for streptococcus infection.
Other than the above measures, it is significant to talk to a doctor about other treatment options such as ablation and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The expert will determine the most effective measure.
What Should I Do if Anyone Were to Collapse?
If there is a next of kin or a member of the family and there is no reaction to the person, it is essential to call an ambulance and perform CPR. Remember, it is always important to give a second chance to a person by calling an ambulance and trying to perform CPR. In addition, it is vital to use AED (automated external defibrillator) if it is available. If not, it is important to keep doing CPR until the ambulance arrives.
Take-Home Message
Cardiac arrest can affect both the younger and older generations. Sudden cardiac arrest can be genetic or triggered by substance abuse, myocarditis, congenital heart defects, intense exercises, and other conditions, for instance, anemia. Therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor if any of the warning signs of cardiac arrest occur. It is also important to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle to reduce the risks of heart disease and cardiac arrest.
