Typically by the time you can tell it's cardiac arrest it's too late to do anything about it as the heart has already ceased to function. This article will look at some of the risk factors and warning signs that can help us be more aware of the possibility of cardiac arrest. One factor that must be considered is the fact that the heart must be immediately tended to in order to save a victim of cardiac arrest.

Immediate assistance with a cardiac defibrillator would be your best bet for survival. You will find these primarily on ambulances and in hospitals although it is possible to purchase a portable one for personal use as well. These can be essential in case of cardiac arrest, as in many cases, death occurs while people are waiting for an ambulance to arrive, or en route to the hospital. Purchasing a defibrillator to keep nearby can save minutes your victim may not otherwise have as you wait for professional help to arrive.

When the heart stops the victim can die quickly if the heart does not get help to restart immediately which is where this device comes in most handy. Sometimes a person who is about to go into cardiac arrest will have dizziness or nausea as a symptom before this happens. In a person at risk for heart disease, these symptoms which can be caused by other issues as well, are a definite cause for concern. Since heart problems can also occur in people considered healthy, including young people, all possible symptoms should be taken seriously. Some people have reported feeling lightheaded when having a heart attack. Heart attacks are not the same as cardiac arrest, as in most cases the heart doesn't actually stop beating when someone has a heart attack. However, heart attacks and various other heart conditions can lead to cardiac arrest which is why it's so important to treat any heart related symptoms immediately.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about cardiac arrest and to get ideas on how to prevent it. There may be lifestyle changes that you can make or they may even suggest getting an internal defibrillator put into your chest. An external defibrillator, which is used to restart the heart after cardiac arrest, can be purchased as well. Used mostly by emergency technicians, these machines are also available privately. But before you purchase any machinery, talk to your doctor about your risk factors for cardiac arrest and what can be done to prevent it. In summary, cardiac arrest is an extremely dangerous medical event and any warning signs should be considered a reason to get emergency help right away. While the best way to prevent it is to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible, it isn't always possible to predict when cardiac arrest might happen. So watch for the warning signs discussed above.