What is cardiac arrest and what causes it? Cardiac arrest means that the heart stops beating because it fails to get signals from the pacemaker inside the heart.

Every heart is capable of rhythmic contraction by itself, due to a built in pacemaker. A live heart can be severed from all blood vessels, removed from the body, and placed in a Ringer’s solution of ideal chemicals.  It will continue to beat…even for days.

The heart beat is adjusted and regulated by neurotransmitter hormones (especially adrenaline) and by nerve supply from the vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve  especially affects the heart beat through a carotid (artery) body that is located in the neck.  Stimulation of the carotid body slows heart beat.

The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that “wanders”throughout the body supplying the heart and other organs. Drugs (chemicals) likewise can alter heart beat or even stop it.

Specifically drugs that slow respiration and oxygen supply can increase heart failure due to inadequate supply of oxygen to heart muscle. The narcotic and synthetic narcotics are notorious for reducing respiration and oxygen supply but are potent pain pills… even though addicting.

Potent pain pills like Vioxx and its cousin, Celebrex,  have been known to cause cardiac arrest. Vioxx was banned from the market after it killed over 100,000 in only one year… due to heart failure.  Celebrex, arguably should also be banned, but to date is still prescribed.

The national media (Foxx News) reports that “bags of drugs” were removed from Michael Jackson’s home. It is also known that he received medication from several doctors.

To date, the toxicology report has not been completed, but cardiac arrest due to drugs is highly suspect. Michael Jackson’s weight at 125 pounds was also reported.  Substandard weight is also a common symptom of heavy drug usage. Until the toxicology report is done we can only speculate, but drug induced cardiac arrest is highly suspect…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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Cardiac arrest has more to do with the electrical conduction of signals and the  heart rhythm; whereas  heart attack is actually an obstruction of a coronary artery. The treatment for both requires immediate action before 911 responds.  In the case of cardiac arrest there is an interruption of heart beats or arrhythmias that stop blood flow. It is characterized by noisy, gasping, moaning, heavy breathing.  The victim is unresponsive and appears to be unconscious.

Heart attack is characterized by crushing pain in the chest. Frequently there is nausea or faint feeling, cold sweat, pale or blue skin and sometimes a feeling of “indigestion”. There can be referral of pain to the arm or jaw. Shortness of breath, but consciousness, is usually present. Cardiac output or blood flow is compromised and some heart tissue can die.

In the case of cardiac arrest the immediate treatment is CPR (cardio-pulmonary-resuscitation) or better yet an AED (automatic external defibrillator) that “shocks” the heart back into rhythm.

Heart attack is best facilitated by non-exertion, oxygen,  and pain relief (aspirin)… if available.  Re-assurance and comfort in a lying down position is best.  CPR or defibrillation is contra-indicated. Try to help the victim relax until 911 arrives…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: cardiac arrest, heart attack, symptoms of heart disease