How do you recognize a cardiac arrest?

Recognizing a cardiac arrest is crucial for initiating the appropriate emergency response, particularly CPR. When someone is unresponsive and not breathing, it indicates that their heart has stopped pumping blood effectively, resulting in the condition known as cardiac arrest. In this state, the person's vital functions, particularly their respiratory and circulatory systems, have ceased to operate properly.

It's important to note that other signs, such as being unresponsive but still exhibiting signs of breathing or having a weak pulse, do not accurately signal cardiac arrest. A person who is breathing normally or responsive is not in cardiac arrest; they may be experiencing other medical issues but not the critical state that requires immediate resuscitation efforts. Severe chest pain can be a sign of cardiovascular problems, but it does not confirm cardiac arrest unless the person's responsiveness and breathing status are assessed. Thus, the clear indicators of unresponsiveness alongside the absence of normal breathing are vital for recognizing a cardiac arrest and necessitating immediate CPR efforts.