- Cardiac arrest is when someone’s heart suddenly stops beating and warning signs include shortness of breath, a pounding heart, weakness and chest discomfort.
- It’s caused by arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms, and can be triggered by a heart attack, drowning, chocking or trauma.
- If you see someone with cardiac arrest symptoms, call 911 immediately and use your hands to press up-and-down on the person’s chest (chest compressions) to temporarily pump blood to their brain and lungs and prevent brain damage and death.
