Cardiac arrest: 6 alarming symptoms of heart distress you should never ignore, and how to revive patient

Symptoms of cardiac arrest: According to heart surgeon Anshuman Pushkar from Indore, the most common sign of cardiac arrest is losing consciousness without any apparent reason

The death of popular TV actor Rituraj Singh by cardiac arrest at the age of 59 in the early hours of February 20 created shockwaves within the industry. For someone who looked so fit from his onscreen demeanour, Singh's death has once again questioned the lifestyle we all live in. Similarly, actor Kavita Chaudhary, better known for her television show Udaan and playing Lalitaji in Surf commercials, died in Amritsar on February 15 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Also, Shreyas Talpade, the 47-year-old Bollywood actor, is currently recovering after suffering a heart attack while shooting for the upcoming movie Welcome To Jungle. The actor was admitted to Belle Vue Hospital in Andheri West, Mumbai, and underwent an angioplasty procedure.

Looking at so many recent examples of cardiac arrest, it becomes even more crucial to recognise the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest for seeking immediate medical attention.

Here are six worrying signs of cardiac arrest one should never ignore

1. Sudden loss of consciousness: According to heart surgeon Anshuman Pushkar from Indore, the most common sign of cardiac arrest is losing consciousness without any apparent reason. The person collapsing may not respond to stimuli, and there is no breathing or pulse.

2. No or abnormal breathing: In a cardiac arrest, breathing stops altogether, or it is irregular or shallow. This is called agonal breathing and is a sign of severe distress.

3. Absence of pulse: There may be no detectable pulse while checking at the wrist or neck. This shows that the heart is not pumping blood effectively.

4. Cyanosis: Pushkar points out that there will be bluish discolouration of the skin, particularly noticeable around the lips, fingertips, and nail beds on the person who is facing cardiac arrest. Cyanosis occurs because the body is not receiving enough oxygenated blood.

5. Lack of responsiveness: Apart from losing consciousness, a person in cardiac arrest will not respond when you try to wake or stimulate them. They won't move, speak, or react to any touch or sound.

6. Chest pain or discomfort: In some cases, there may be chest pain or discomfort before cardiac arrest occurs. This can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the centre of the chest, which may radiate to other areas like the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

So if you witness someone experiencing these signs, it is crucial to take immediate action:

What one should do if somebody is having a cardiac arrest

In a medical emergency, it is important to take immediate action to ensure the person's safety and save life. The first step is to call for emergency medical assistance without delay. Once help is on the way, it is important to lay the person flat on their back and ensure their airway is open.

If you are trained in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), begin by administering 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute, followed by 2 breaths. If you are not trained in CPR, focus on providing continuous chest compressions until help arrives. CPR can be a vital intervention in maintaining blood flow and oxygenation to the body.