Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Practice

A sudden collapse without any prior signs is a strong indication that cardiac arrest may have occurred. In many cases, cardiac arrest can happen unexpectedly, leading the person to lose consciousness immediately. This quality differentiates it from other medical emergencies that might present with symptoms like nausea or mild distress beforehand.

On the contrary, consistent heartbeat or normal breathing suggests that the heart is functioning and the person is not in cardiac arrest. In cardiac arrest, the heart stops effectively pumping blood, leading to a lack of oxygen, which eventually results in loss of consciousness and absence of vital signs. Therefore, a sudden collapse is a critical indicator for responders to suspect cardiac arrest and initiate emergency measures such as CPR.