Heart Failure And Other Causes Of Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest can lead to sudden death, making it crucial to understand the underlying causes and address them promptly through appropriate treatment. There are numerous reasons that can lead to cardiac arrest, which can generally be categorized into the following main areas:

Heart Muscle Diseases

One of the leading causes of cardiac arrest is heart muscle disease. For example, severe or fulminant myocarditis can significantly impair heart function and trigger sudden cardiac arrest. Additionally, end-stage heart muscle diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy with advanced heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with outflow tract obstruction, or excessive pericardial effusion leading to cardiac tamponade can all result in life-threatening heart complications.

Heart Rhythm Disorders

Abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, are another major cause of cardiac arrest. Conditions like sick sinus syndrome or prolonged ventricular pauses can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Moreover, fast and irregular heartbeats—such as atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, ventricular flutter, and ventricular fibrillation—can disrupt normal heart function and cause the heart to stop unexpectedly.

Inherited Rhythm Disorders

Some rhythm-related issues are genetic and can significantly increase the risk of cardiac arrest. Examples include long QT syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, short QT syndrome, and Brugada syndrome. These ion channel disorders can cause dangerous heart rhythms, especially during physical or emotional stress.

Coronary Artery Disease

Acute coronary syndromes like heart attacks or sudden ischemic heart events are among the most common triggers of cardiac arrest. When the blood supply to the heart is blocked—such as in acute myocardial infarction—the heart muscle can become electrically unstable, leading to fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest.

Other Contributing Factors

Besides heart-related issues, other non-cardiac factors can also lead to cardiac arrest. These include exposure to certain chemical or physical stressors, as well as specific medications or drugs that can disrupt normal heart function. Substance abuse, electrolyte imbalances, and severe trauma are additional external factors that may contribute to sudden cardiac events.