Most of us misjudge cardiac arrest with heart attack. though they both are related to heart, the causes are very different and so are the severity of the situation.
(Source: https://pixabay.com/en/cardiac-pulse-systole-heartbeat-156059/)
Malfunctioning of the heart with complete discontinuation of heart beat is known as cardiac arrest. As we know, heart is a pumping device to pump the blood to all parts of our body and again bring the blood back to the lungs for oxygen. So when in cardiac arrest the heart cannot pump blood to the organs. This affects the vital organs like brain, liver, lungs the most. without proper circulation of blood, our body seizes to function and the person becomes unresponsive.
Heart stops functioning because of the malfunctioning of the electric signals in the heart. It may seem weird to read about electric signals in the heart but it is infact true that the rythmic beating of our heart is actually due to the electric signals.
Now lets start by the symptom before cardiac arrest
-->pain in the heart area(chest)
-->breathing difficulties
-->feeling of Vomitting/ nausea
-->Dizziness
-->weakness
-->blackout
-->extreme fatigue
(Source: http://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/sudden-cardiac-arrest-warning-signs-risk-factors-simple-steps-to-save-a-life/90772)
The symptoms of cardiac arrest
-->unresponsive body of the patient
-->unconsciousness
-->no breathing or gasping
(Source: https://www.imperativesupplies.com/imperative_supplies_infographic)
The cause of cardiac arrest is definitely the unrythmic beating of heart known as arrhythmia. However the reason for arrythmia which causes cardiac arrest may differ.
-->Coronary artery disease
Its the most common cardiovascular disease which is generally due to
-->high blood pressure
-->smoking
-->high cholestrol
-->lack of excersice
-->unbalanced diet
-->depression
-->lack of proper sleep
This leads to stress in heart and its functioning and if not careful can often lead to cardiac arrest and most probably death
-->Cardiomyopathy
Heart disease most likely due to high blood pressure for an extensive long period of time which causes strain in the hearts wall especially the left ventricle.
-->Excessive heart medication
theres a high chance of cardiac arrest if someone takes too much medication due to the sideeffects of such doses. seems ironical but is very much the fact
-->Drug Use
Mosly recreational drug usage can cause cardiac arrest if the user is not careful and much frequent dasage is taken. You must have heard of celebrities dying of cardiac arrest due to overdosage of drugs? haven't you?
-->Cure
Death is nearly certain for a patient with cardiac arrest if the hospital isn't in a 15 minutes reach. As its rightly said "Prevention is the cure". Here are a few to save you from this
(Source: 
)
-->Exercise
You may think its a staple answer but it works
(Source: https://www.sharecare.com/health/health-care-basics/slideshow/6-healthy-life-hacks)
-->Balanced Diet
Eat good, live healthy. Most importantly good oil and fat.
-->Meditation
Most natural way to fight depression
(Source: https://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/parents-carers/5-ways-to-a-healthy-lifestyle.aspx)
Hope you learned something through this post.
References:
- http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac_arrest
- "What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest?". NHLBI. June 22, 2016. Archived from the original on 27
August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016. - https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest