THE RED FLAGS OF CARDIAC ARREST

Cardiac arrest means that the heart stops beating. It is an electrical dysfunction of the heart. While there may be several causes for the cessation of the heartbeat, they all have something in common; They give warning signs to the patient. These signs may easily be overlooked by the patient or his family members. It is surprising to know that they may be present for as long as 4 weeks before the actual cardiac arrest! They might even precede the arrest by a span of just 5 mins.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand and be aware of these warning signs or the “Red Flags” of Cardiac arrest. These include:

1.       Chest Pain

2.       Palpitations

3.       Fatigue

4.       Breathlessness

5.       Nausea/ Vomiting

6.       Dizziness/ Light Headedness

These symptoms might be present in an individual who already has a history of heart disease or it may occur in individuals who are apparently healthy. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to what your body is telling you. It is equally important to let your family members or friends of any discomfort you are experiencing. The right attention given at the right time can help save lives.

Hafsa Badar, MBBS