About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiorespiratory Arrest: Causes, Symptoms, and Emergency Response
Introduction
Cardiorespiratory arrest is a life-threatening condition in which both breathing and circulation suddenly stop. Without immediate intervention, death occurs within minutes.
Causes
Cardiorespiratory arrest can result from various medical conditions, including:
- Cardiac Causes: Myocardial infarction (heart attack), arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation, asystole), heart failure.
- Respiratory Causes: Severe asthma attack, pulmonary embolism, choking.
- Neurological Causes: Stroke, traumatic brain injury.
- Metabolic and Toxic Causes: Severe electrolyte imbalances, drug overdose, poisoning.
Symptoms
- Sudden loss of consciousness
- Absence of breathing or gasping respirations (agonal breathing)
- No detectable pulse
Emergency Response – Basic Life Support (BLS)
1. Recognize the Arrest
- Check for responsiveness (shake the person, shout their name).
- Look for normal breathing; if absent or abnormal, assume arrest.
- Check for a pulse (carotid artery in adults, brachial artery in infants).
2. Call for Emergency Help
- Dial emergency services (911/112/999, depending on your country).
3. Start Chest Compressions (Hands-Only CPR if untrained)
- Place hands in the center of the chest.
- Deliver compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute, depth of 5-6 cm (2 inches).
4. Rescue Breaths (if trained)
- Give two breaths after every 30 compressions.
- Maintain an open airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver.
5. Defibrillation (If AED Available)
- Turn on the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and follow audio instructions.
- Apply pads and deliver a shock if indicated.
6. Continue CPR Until Help Arrives
- Do not stop unless signs of life return or emergency responders take over.
Advanced Life Support (ALS)
In a hospital setting, healthcare professionals use advanced interventions such as:
- Defibrillation (shocking the heart) for treatable arrhythmias.
- Advanced airway management (e.g., intubation).
- Administration of drugs like epinephrine and antiarrhythmics.
Prevention
To reduce the risk of cardiorespiratory arrest:
- Manage underlying heart conditions.
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
- Learn CPR to help save lives!
Conclusion
Cardiorespiratory arrest is a critical emergency requiring immediate intervention. Bystander CPR and AED use significantly improve survival chances. Quick action saves lives!
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2020-aha-guidelines-for-cpr-and-ecc
- https://cpr.heart.org/-/media/cpr-files/cpr-guidelines-files/highlights/hghlghts_2020_ecc_guidelines_english.pdf
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001194
- https://international.heart.org/en/courses/2020-handbook-of-emergency-cardiovascular-care-for-healthcare-providers
2. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation
- https://cprguidelines.eu/guidelines-2021
- https://www.erc.edu/
- https://cprguidelines.eu/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300957221000551
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33773825/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.