Sudden Cardiac Arrest – Diagnosis and Treatment

ByJanis Updated

Diagnosis

Exams and Checks

After a person arrives at the hospital for sudden cardiac arrest, doctors use several tests to find out what is wrong with the heart.

These tests help them look for heart rhythm problems, damaged heart muscle, or reasons for the loss of heartbeat. Here are some of the common ways they check the heart:

  1. Blood Work
    • Doctors take blood samples to check for special proteins that show if a heart attack has happened.
    • They also measure how much potassium, magnesium, and other chemicals are in the blood.
    • Abnormal levels can point to problems that increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
  2. Heart’s Electrical Check (ECG/EKG)
    • Medical staff place electrodes on the chest, arms, or legs to record the electrical signals of the heart.
    • An ECG (electrocardiogram) shows the speed and pattern of the heartbeat.
    • This test can also catch dangerous changes like ventricular fibrillation, a type of life-threatening rhythm.
  3. Sonogram of the Heart (Echocardiogram)
    • Technicians use special sound waves to make a live video of the heart beating.
    • This test shows how well the heart pumps blood and the shape of its valves.
    • It can spot issues such as heart failure, valve trouble, and muscle damage.
  4. How Well the Heart Pumps (Ejection Fraction)
    • During the echocardiogram, doctors measure how much blood the heart pushes out with each beat.
    • Normally, the heart will pump out 50% to 70% of its blood with every beat.
    • People with an ejection fraction below 40% have a higher risk for cardiac arrest.
  5. Chest X-ray
    • Doctors use this test to see the size and outline of the heart and lungs.
    • A chest X-ray may show evidence of heart failure or other diseases that affect the heart’s shape.
  6. Pictures with a Tracer (Nuclear Heart Scan)
    • Medical staff inject a very small amount of radioactive material to make the blood flow visible on special cameras.
    • Doctors use this test to spot areas of weak blood flow or blocked arteries.
  7. Looking Inside Arteries (Cardiac Catheterization)
    • Doctors carefully guide a thin tube called a catheter through a blood vessel up to the heart.
    • They release a dye, making the arteries visible on X-ray images.
    • This method shows if there are blockages and helps find causes for heart attacks leading to SCA.
    • Doctors can sometimes fix blockages right away using a balloon or a tiny tube called a stent.

Quick Reference Table

Test Name What It Checks Key Information Found
Blood work Proteins and chemicals in blood Signs of heart attack or chemical imbalance
ECG/EKG Heart’s electrical signals Heart rhythm changes, arrhythmias
Echocardiogram Heart structure and pumping Valve problems, muscle damage
Ejection Fraction Percentage of blood pumped per beat Heart’s ability to circulate blood
Chest X-ray Size and shape of heart/lungs Signs of heart failure
Nuclear Heart Scan Blood flow in heart Blood flow issues, blocked arteries
Cardiac Catheterization Blockages in heart arteries Location and severity of blockages

These different tests help the medical team find the cause of the sudden cardiac arrest, spot risk factors like abnormal heart rhythms, and plan the right treatment to prevent it from happening again.

Treatment

Use of Medicines

Medicines play a big part in treating people who have had sudden cardiac arrest. Doctors may give anti-arrhythmic medicines to help get the heart back to a normal rhythm. These medicines work by stopping abnormal heartbeat patterns.

Other drugs, such as beta blockers and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors, help control blood pressure and keep the heart working better. Calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels and can protect the heart from more problems.

Medicines work best when doctors give them soon after the heart stops or starts beating irregularly. Quick treatment lowers the chances of fainting or stroke and helps the person recover.

Here is a table showing some common medicine types and their main actions:

Medicine Type Purpose
Anti-arrhythmic Restore normal heart rhythm.
Beta blockers Lower heart rate and blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors Help heart pump better.
Calcium channel blockers Relax arteries and reduce workload.

Operations and Medical Devices

Some people need more than just medicine to treat sudden cardiac arrest. Medical procedures and surgeries are very important, especially if medicines alone are not enough.

  • Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD): Doctors place an ICD, a small device, under the skin near the collarbone. It checks the heart’s rhythm all the time. If it finds a dangerous heartbeat, the ICD gives an electric shock to reset the rhythm. This device can prevent fainting, stroke, or even death from a serious heart problem.
  • Coronary Angioplasty: Doctors use a thin tube (catheter) to reach a blocked blood vessel in the heart. They inflate a small balloon at the end of the tube to open the blood vessel. Sometimes, they leave a metal mesh tube called a stent in the artery to help keep it open. This helps blood flow better to the heart muscle.
  • Bypass Surgery: If an artery to the heart is badly blocked, a surgeon creates a new path for blood to get around the blockage. This lowers the risk of another sudden heart problem.
  • Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation: When irregular heartbeats come from bad electrical pathways in the heart, doctors use heat at the end of a tube to make tiny scars in the heart. These scars stop the bad signals.
  • Corrective Heart Surgery: If someone is born with a heart problem, has a weak heart muscle, or damaged heart valves, surgeons can fix these. These procedures often prevent future heart rhythm issues.

Lifestyle Changes and At-Home Actions

Learning Emergency Response Skills

People who live with someone at risk of sudden cardiac arrest should know basic life-saving skills.

Taking a course in CPR or learning how to use a defibrillator can make a real difference in an emergency. Many groups, such as the American Red Cross, offer training sessions that teach these skills.

A simple table outlining training options:

Skill Where to Learn Benefit
CPR Local centers Supports chest compressions and breathing
Defibrillator use Hospitals Helps restore normal heart rhythm

Training prepares people to respond quickly if someone’s heart stops. More individuals knowing what to do increases the chance of survival during sudden cardiac arrest events.


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Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.