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Cardiac Arrest
Symptoms
Cardiac arrest is often confused with a heart attack or myocardial infarction, which is a loss of blood to the heart tissue. Cardiac arrest usually occurs without warning. Warning signs of an impending cardiac arrest due to heart disease are:
- Squeezing discomfort or pain in the chest, or behind the breastbone, lasting more than 10 minutes
- Pain spreading up to the neck, out to the shoulders or arms
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- The person may feel sick in the stomach
If someone experiences these warning signs, medical attention should be sought immediately. If a cardiac arrest does occur, the person will need CPR from a bystander until the ambulance arrives with a defibrillator.
Last updated: 11-Feb-08
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