Cardiac Arrest: Spot It, Act Fast, Save a Life

If someone suddenly collapses, stops breathing, or has no pulse, you might be looking at a cardiac arrest. It’s not a heart attack and the difference matters. A cardiac arrest means the heart’s electrical system has gone haywire, so blood stops flowing. In just a few minutes, brain cells start to die. That’s why every second counts.

Recognizing Cardiac Arrest Quickly

Symptoms appear fast and are easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Look for these red flags: the person is unresponsive, not breathing normally (or just gasping), and you can’t feel a pulse. Sometimes the victim may clutch their chest or feel dizzy before collapsing, but those signs can also be a heart attack. When in doubt, treat it as a cardiac arrest – you lose nothing by acting.

Remember the "hands‑only" rule: if the person is not responding and isn’t breathing, start CPR right away. No need to waste time checking a pulse if you’re not trained. The layperson’s instinct to call 112 (or your local emergency number) should come first, then jump into chest compressions.

Steps to Take When It Happens

1. Call emergency services immediately. Speak clearly, give the exact location, and say it’s a possible cardiac arrest.

2. Start chest compressions. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, stack the other hand on top, keep elbows straight, and press hard – about 2‑inches deep – at a rate of 100‑120 compressions per minute. Think of the beat of "Stayin’ Alive" – that’s the rhythm you need.

3. Use an AED if available. Turn it on, follow the voice prompts, and attach the pads. The device will tell you if a shock is needed. Even if you’re unsure, apply it – the AED won’t harm a healthy heart.

4. Continue until help arrives. Keep compressions going, pause only for AED analysis or if you’re too exhausted to maintain quality. If someone else is nearby, swap every two minutes to avoid fatigue.

5. After the emergency. When paramedics take over, give them all the info you have – when it started, what you did, and any known medical conditions.

These steps sound simple, but practicing them makes a huge difference. Many community centers, schools, and workplaces now offer free hands‑only CPR classes. Signing up takes an hour and could save a life you never expected to be involved in.

Prevention also matters. Regular check‑ups, managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, staying active, and avoiding smoking lower the odds of a heart rhythm problem. If you have a family history of sudden cardiac death, ask your doctor about a heart‑monitoring test. Early detection of conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can lead to life‑saving implantable devices.

Myths are common – "Only old people get cardiac arrest" is false. Young athletes can suffer from sudden cardiac arrest due to undiagnosed heart issues. Likewise, you don’t need a medical background to give effective CPR. The key is to act, not overthink.In a nutshell, spotting the signs, calling for help, and delivering strong, steady chest compressions give the victim the best shot at survival. Keep the steps in mind, refresh them yearly, and you’ll be ready if the unexpected ever happens.