What causes cardiac arrest?

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What causes cardiac arrest?

Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are the immediate cause of cardiac arrest.

Abnormal heart rhythms that cause cardiac arrest may include:

  • Ventricular fibrillation.
  • Ventricular tachycardia.

Conditions and situations that can lead to these abnormal heart rhythms are the underlying causes of sudden cardiac arrest. These include:

  • Cardiomyopathy.
  • Drugs for other medical conditions, including cold medicine (in some people).
  • Heart attack.
  • Heart failure.
  • Illegal drugs, like cocaine.
  • Inherited heart disorders, such as Brugada syndrome.
  • Long QT syndrome (LQTS).
  • Severe illness or injury (trauma) with major blood loss.

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