Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Symptoms

Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency and occurs with no prior warning signs in more than 50 percent of cases. If someone has signs or symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, call 911 immediately. People who experience an episode of sudden cardiac arrest must be treated within eight minutes, or organ damage or death may result.

The most common signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest include:

• Sudden, unexplained fainting with physical exertion or seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• No pulse
• No breathing

Sometimes, other signs and symptoms precede an episode, including:

• Fatigue
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Fainting or blackouts (syncope)
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeats
• Vomiting