Causes and Consequences of Cardiac Arrest Surge

In the blink of an eye, a moment of joy turned into a lifetime of sadness. During his wedding ceremony, 25-year-old Pravin collapsed. Suffering a sudden and fatal cardiac arrest, he left behind his newlywed, his family and his guests frozen in disbelief. What was meant to be the start of a new life ended in unimaginable heartbreak.

As shocking as the news may sound, data from hospitals across India between 2020 and 2023 show that 50% of heart attacks occured in adults below the age of 40 years.  Further, a five-year study by Aakash Healthcare, Delhi, revealed that heart attack cases more than doubled after the Covid-19 pandemic, with emergency cases rising by 60%. (Indian Express)

Given the alarming rate of cardiac-related deaths, especially among younger populations, there is an urgent need for public awareness, lifestyle modifications and widespread CPR programs to enable bystanders to act quickly during emergencies. Let’s start by knowing about cardiac arrest first.

Reference: ndtv.com, ncrb.gov.in

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What is Cardiac Arrest?

Cardiac Arrest is a sudden and life-threatening condition in which the heart stops beating, cutting off blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. In this situation, an individual may collapse and become unconscious. Its symptoms start without a warning, which is why it is known as sudden cardiac arrest.

Reference: my.clevelandclinic.org

Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest can occur with the following symptoms:

• Loss of consciousness
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Heart palpitations
• Unexplained wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Weakness and fatigue

Causes of Cardiac Arrest

Although cardiac arrest strikes suddenly, it's generally triggered by an underlying heart or health condition. Some of the most common causes include:

Arrhythmias (Abnormal Heart Rhythms)

In this condition, the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Some arrhythmias are mild and harmless, while others can be life-threatening.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

This type of heart disease is caused by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries. This plaque primarily comprises cholesterol that narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.

Reference: my.clevelandclinic.org

Cardiomyopathy

This condition affects the heart muscle, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. It gives rise to several types of adversities, including heart failure. Cardiomyopathy can be further divided into three types: 

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterised by the weakening and stretching of heart muscles, causing the heart chambers to enlarge and become inefficient at pumping blood.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, interfering with the efficiency of blood pumped by the heart.

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare type of heart muscle disease in which the heart walls become stiff but don’t thicken. The stiffness of the heart walls prevents the chambers from filling properly with blood.

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, damaging the heart muscle. This damage disrupts the heart’s electrical system, triggering irregular heartbeats. If the heart stops beating effectively, it leads to cardiac arrest, which, if not treated immediately, can result in death.

Congenital Heart Conditions

Congenital Heart Conditions are structural abnormalities present at birth. Some congenital conditions can lead to abnormal heart rhythms or disrupt the flow of blood, which could increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

Reference: my.clevelandclinic.org

Difference between Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack

While Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack are often used interchangeably, these are two distinct conditions.

Risk Factors of Cardiac Arrest

Some factors that can make you more susceptible to sudden cardiac arrest include:

• High blood pressure or cholesterol.
• Obesity 
• Diabetes
• Smoking 
• A family history of coronary artery disease
• An inactive lifestyle
• A previous episode of sudden cardiac arrest or a family history of sudden cardiac arrest 
• Low potassium or magnesium levels
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Excessive stress 
• Age

Why Are Cardiac Arrests Getting Common These Days?

While getting used to the daily hustle and bustle, you might develop specific patterns that become the common reasons for cardiac arrest. Some of them include:

• Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits: Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and excessive alcohol use. 
• Increase in Chronic Conditions: Lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity make you more susceptible to cardiac arrests. 
• High Stress Levels: Experiencing chronic stress and mental health issues can trigger abnormal heart rhythms, increasing the risk of cardiac arrest. 
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Prolonged sitting and lack of physical activity weakens your heart health, making you more prone to cardiac arrests. 
• Age: With age, the cardiovascular systems weaken, making you vulnerable to cardiac arrest. 

Can Cardiac Arrests Be Diagnosed?

Since cardiac attacks are sudden, they cannot be diagnosed. Instead, they are recognised on the spot based on clinical signs and later confirmed with tests. Here are some signs and indications that can be used to recognise cardiac arrest.

How Can You Respond to a Cardiac Arrest Emergency?

A cardiac arrest can strike without warning. But with swift action, you can help save a life. Here’s a step-by-step guide to recognising and responding effectively to this medical emergency, based on the life-saving framework promoted by Apollo Hospitals:

Step 1: Recognise the Signs

Be alert to the telltale signs:

• Sudden collapse and unresponsiveness
• No breathing or only gasping
• No detectable pulse
• Pale or bluish skin tone
• Inability to awaken despite stimulation

If someone shows these signs, assume cardiac arrest and act immediately.

Step 2: Call for Emergency Help

Dial your local emergency number and clearly state the location and nature of the emergency. Time is critical.

Step 3: Start CPR Immediately

If the person is not breathing:

• Begin Chest Compressions: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest—100–120 compressions per minute, at least 2 inches deep.
• If trained, give rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. If not, continue with hands-only CPR.

Step 4: Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

If available:

• Turn on the AED and follow the audio-visual instructions.
• Apply the pads to the bare chest as shown.
• Let the device analyse the heart rhythm. If a shock is advised, ensure no one is touching the person and press the shock button when prompted.
• Resume CPR immediately after.

Step 5: Continue Until Help Arrives

Keep performing CPR and using the AED (if needed) until emergency responders take over or the person shows signs of life (movement, normal breathing, pulse).

Why These Steps Matter?

This sequence—called the Chain of Survival—dramatically improves survival chances. According to Apollo Hospitals, bystander CPR and timely AED use can double or triple survival rates.

Training in CPR and AED use is one of the most valuable skills anyone can learn. Through public awareness and accessible training, more lives can be saved—one timely response at a time.

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Timely Action Can Make All the Difference

Given the busy lifestyles we lead, getting diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes is increasingly common. These conditions not only affect your physical and mental health but also increase your susceptibility to cardiac arrest.

With proper diet, exercise and cutting off tobacco and alcohol, you can reduce the risk and set an example for others.

Also, we hope that after reading this newsletter, you’ll become more aware of the warning signs of cardiac arrest and capable of responding to cardiac arrest emergencies without panicking.

We come up with more topics like this every month. Stay tuned to get such insightful articles directly to your mail box!

Till then, share this article with the people you care about.

Stay informed, stay insured. 

Team Care Health