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Can cardiac arrest be prevented?

The tears have not yet dried after the death of Colonel Sharon Asman, and we have already been informed of the unfortunate death of Roni Daniel, this time too - from a heart attack. In light of the events, In an emergency

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• Cardiac Arrest

Prof. Mahmoud Suleiman, Rambam Hospital, Walla!

Health in collaboration with zap doctors

Monday, 30 August 2021, 11:58 Updated: 12:03

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How do you deal with cardiac arrest?

(Photo: ShutterStock)

Recently we have heard of many cases of people suffering from cardiac arrest: football player Christian Eriksen, Col. Sharon Asman and recently also Roni Daniel - the veteran reporter who passed away prematurely due to the same alarming phenomenon.

Following these cases, it is impossible not to wonder - what causes people At different ages suffer from such a life-threatening condition that often ends tragically and painfully?

Well, cardiac arrest is caused as a result of a sudden cessation of heart function. When oxygen does not pass to the cells, the person loses consciousness and in a short time can cause brain damage.Is

it possible to prevent the condition, who is more likely to suffer from it and what is most important to do if God forbid you encounter such a case?

First of all let’s start with the fact: cardiac arrest can result in rapid death if the patient does not receive immediate help. On the other hand, when the activity of the heart is restored within a short period of time, there is a good chance that the patient will return to function and sometimes even to full function.

What is the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack?

Cardiac arrest is a condition caused by a sudden cessation of heart activity, usually due to a dangerous arrhythmia. In contrast, a heart attack is caused as a result of a sudden blockage of one of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. Symptoms in this case may include chest and / or hand pain, excessive sweating, nausea, and vomiting. In women the expression is usually less palpable and includes dull pain or shortness of breath. It is important to know that any heart attack can lead to arrhythmias and in fact this is one of the most common causes of cardiac arrest - hence the importance of immediate treatment. In this case, an emergency vehicle must be called immediately.

What are the early signs of cardiac arrest?

Many people with heart failure report signs of a heart attack such as chest tight pain or a general feeling of being unwell.

Occasionally, the patient will complain of fainting events or a feeling of pre-fainting some time before the event.

Sometimes it is a surprising event that occurs without any prior warning.

Everyone who watched the Euros remembers the frightening case of Christian Eriksen from Denmark (Photo: Reuters)

Why is this happening and who is at high risk?

Numerically, most cases occur in relatively "healthy" people without a known heart problem. So what still causes cardiac arrest? Well, the most common causes are atherosclerosis and heart attack, problems with the structure of the heart muscle (like hypertrophy), or problems with the electrical system of the heart. The latter two causes are mostly common among young people (under 40) like athletes, and most often it is a congenital hereditary problem.

In fact, cardiac arrest is one of the most common causes of death among young athletes. It turns out that quite a few of the athletes who died from it suffered from some congenital heart problem. Sometimes it is a known malformation and sometimes one that the patient was not even aware of.

And of course - as in almost every area of ​​life, in this case too genetics plays a significant role. Therefore, people whose family has had cases of cardiac arrest or heart attack may be at increased risk for this.

Is it possible to prevent this situation?

Advances in medicine and technology enable effective treatment of cases of cardiac arrest, so it is important to identify the people who are at high risk. When it comes to those whose family has a family history of heart attacks or cardiac arrest, it is advisable to see a cardiologist in order to perform the required tests like ECG and ECO test according to the accepted recommendations.

Also, today patients who are at risk due to a family history, can perform a genetic test in order to locate the genetic defect. It is important to note that there are different therapeutic measures for these people, which help them in risk prevention.

Beyond that, it is impossible not to mention the importance of a healthy lifestyle in maintaining overall heart function and preventing cardiac arrest. It is important to treat risk factors for sclerosis, reduce the intake of animal fats, avoid smoking, maintain regular physical fitness according to the level of ability and try to avoid stress. It is also important to ask the family doctor for a routine blood test once a year - two years depending on the medical condition and age. Blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol should be monitored. Remember - such tests and a routine on the right lifestyle can save your life!

What do you do if you come across someone with a cardiac arrest?

If you come across someone who suddenly falls and loses consciousness, you should immediately call for help and perform resuscitation operations that include an effective heart massage.

There is currently a recommendation to place an automatic defibrillator device in public places for emergencies.

This device is easy to operate and is actually the treatment required for the restoration of heart activity, so if there is such a device in the environment, it is important to use it immediately.

It is important to understand that every minute that passes reduces the chance of preventing damage and saving the life of the sufferer of cardiac arrest.

Immediately look for the defibrillator (Photo: ShutterStock)

Can strenuous exercise cause cardiac arrest?

"Exercising can certainly be a catalyst for cardiac arrest, when the trainee is at increased risk for it. Increased mental excitement can also cause the phenomenon. Although there is no such official recommendation today, common sense says that an automatic defibrillator should be installed in every gym, because it is the most prone place for disaster. . I do not recommend that people over 50 make extreme sports too strenuous. If you do have such activity at that age it is important to undergo a full medical examination and make sure that there is a device defibrillator nearby.

In summary: cardiac arrest is a phenomenon relatively frequent and alarming that a major reason for sudden death at a young age It is important to identify those who are at risk of cardiac arrest and in an emergency - call for help immediately and perform resuscitation operations that include heart massage until help arrives.

Prof. Mahmoud Suleiman, Specialist in Cardiology, Director of the Electrophysiological Catheterization Service in the Electrophysiology Unit at Rambam Hospital in Haifa.

For more details and articles by Prof. Suleiman and to contact him to make an appointment at his private clinic in Haifa, enter now >>

Assisted in the preparation of the article: Michal Halperin

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