Cardiac Arrest FAQs

A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating and so no blood is pumped around the body. The person will rapidly become unresponsive and will not be breathing normally.It is a medical emergency and requires immediate action.Bystanders who begin CPR etc. promptly (ideally in the first 3 minutes) can make a massive difference to the outcome/survival – increasing from less than 10% to as high as 70% in some cases.

Shout for help and Call 999 immediately and start CPR.Put the phone on speaker so the emergency operator can guide you. Start chest compressions and ask someone to find the nearest defibrillator if one is available (the ambulance service can help you with this).Keep following the instructions from the emergency operator and the defibrillator until help arrives or the person shows signs of life.

Look for three things:They are unresponsive and don't respond when you speak to or gently shake them.They are not breathing normally.They may be making occasional gasping, snorting or irregular noises. This is not normal breathing.If you are unsure, call 999 and follow the emergency operator's instructions.

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Cardio relates to the heart and pulmonary refers to the lungs. CPR involves chest compressions, squeezing the heart to enable blood to circulate around the body. When a person stops breathing or their heart stops, oxygen in the blood quickly depletes. Rescue breaths restore oxygen levels to protect the brain and vital organs from irreversible low-oxygen damage.CPR will not restart the heart on its own, but it will help keep vital organs supplied with blood and oxygen whilst waiting for a defibrillator and emergency medical help.

A defibrillator, also known as an AED (automated external defibrillator), is a device that can analyse the heart's electrical activity and, when appropriate, deliver an electrical shock to help restore a normal heart rhythm.They are designed to be used by members of the public. You don't need to be medically trained to use one.

No. A defibrillator only delivers a shock when it detects a shockable heart rhythm.It will analyse the person's heart rhythm and tell you whether a shock is needed. You cannot accidentally give a shock when one isn't needed.

Yes. Public access defibrillators are designed to be used by people without medical training. They provide clear spoken and visual instructions and will guide you through what to do.However, training will give you the confidence to recognise a cardiac arrest, start CPR and use a defibrillator as quickly as possible when it matters.

CPR can sometimes cause injuries such as broken ribs, but it will not cause any long-term damage. If someone is in cardiac arrest, starting CPR immediately is essential. Doing nothing is far more likely to result in a poor outcome than starting CPR when someone is in cardiac arrest.Follow any instructions from the 999 operator and keep going until help arrives or the person shows signs of life (i.e. they start breathing normally or they start moving)

A defibrillator only delivers a shock when it detects a shockable heart rhythm. You will be unable to shock anyone who has a normal heart rhythm. You (and all bystanders)  should avoid touching the patient while a shock is delivered to prevent accidental shock to yourself/others

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, treat it as a cardiac arrest.Call 999 and follow the emergency operator's instructions. It is better to start CPR when it is needed than to delay because you're worried about getting it wrong.

Gasping, snorting or irregular breathing can happen during a cardiac arrest. This is sometimes called agonal breathing and should not be mistaken for normal breathing.If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999 and start CPR.

Yes. Survival is possible, but every minute matters.The chances of survival can be improved when someone quickly recognises the cardiac arrest, calls 999, starts CPR and uses a defibrillator as soon as possible.This is why knowing what to do — and having access to a defibrillator — can make such a difference.

No. CPR cannot guarantee that someone will survive a cardiac arrest.However, starting CPR promptly helps keep blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs while emergency help is on its way. Using a defibrillator when appropriate can further improve the person's chance of survival.

When the heart stops, blood is no longer being pumped around the body. Without oxygen, the brain and other vital organs can quickly become damaged.CPR helps keep blood circulating until the heart can be restarted or emergency medical help arrives.

For some types of cardiac arrest, an electrical shock from a defibrillator can restore the heart's normal rhythm.Early CPR and early defibrillation work together. That's why having publicly accessible defibrillators available in the community — and people who know how to use them — is so important.

The emergency operator will ask you questions about the person and what has happened. They can guide you through what to do, including how to perform CPR.Put your phone on speaker so you can follow their instructions while helping the person.If there is a nearby public access defibrillator, the emergency operator may be able to tell you where the nearest one is and advise you what to do.

Call 999 immediately, preferably using your mobile phone on speaker, and follow the emergency operator's instructions.

Because the ambulance cannot be there immediately.The actions you take in those first few minutes — calling 999, starting CPR and using a defibrillator — can help keep someone alive until professional medical help arrives.That's why Heartstart Malvern is working to give more people across our community the skills and confidence to perform CPR and use a defibrillator.

They are not the same thing.A cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating, causing the person to become unresponsive and stop breathing normally.A heart attack  occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart becomes blocked (coronary thrombosis). The heart continues to beat and the patient is generally conscious and able to speak. They usually feel unwell and often complain of severe chest pain. If you suspect someone might be having a heart attack – call 999. It is often possible nowadays to unblock the blood supply allowing the heart to recover if action is taken promptly.A heart attack can sometimes lead to a cardiac arrest, at which point CPR and defibrillation should be started