5 Causes Of Cardiac Arrest

Keep your heart healthy by becoming familiar with the causes of cardiac arrest. When you think of a person going into cardiac arrest, the first thing that comes to mind is heart disease. The truth is, while heart disease is one of the most common causes of cardiac arrest, it is hardly the only cause of the problem. Drug abuse, electrocution, respiratory arrest and irregular heart beat are all common causes for cardiac arrest. The thought of going into sudden cardiac arrest is a scary thing that no one likes to think about, but if you pay attention to your body, get regular check-ups and discuss your heart problems with your doctor, there is no reason your can't avoid the causes of cardiac arrest.

1. Heart disease Of the five causes of cardiac arrest, heart disease is the most common cause of cardiac arrest. When the heart is damaged by heart disease, it is unable to regulate the electrical process that maintains a regular heart beat. When these electrical impulses cause the heart to beat too fast or are stopped altogether, it causes cardiac arrest.
2. Respiratory arrest When breathing slows or stops, your body isn't getting the oxygen it needs to keep your blood flowing and your heart pumping. This lack of oxygen can cause your heart to stop and lead to cardiac arrest. Of the five causes of cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest is more likely to effect infants, athletes and people with pre-existing respiratory problems.
3. Electrocution Of the five causes of cardiac arrest, this may be the easiest one to prevent. It is no secret that too much electricity in the body can cause the heart to stop. If you want to avoid this cause of cardiac arrest, don't use the blow dryer while you're in the tub, stay out of lightening storms and always wear shoes when you're working around electricity.
4. Irregular heart beat If it is caught early, this is one of the five causes of cardiac arrest can be treated with medication or surgery. Because an irregular heart  beat causes the electricity in your heart to misfire, people who suffer from irregular heart beats are at a higher risk of cardiac arrest if the condition isn't treated.
5. Drugs Both prescription and illegal drugs can be the cause of cardiac arrest if they are abused. Some drugs can cause the heart too fast; so fast that the heart beats until it stops, literally beating itself to death. Other drugs can cause respiratory failure, which can lead to cardiac arrest. Much like electricity, this is one of the five causes of cardiac arrest that you have some control over. If you don't abuse drugs--prescription or legal--your heart should be just fine.