Cardiac Arrest

A cardiac arrest, also known as cardiopulmonary arrest or circulatory arrest, is the abrupt cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively during systole.

What is Cardiac Arrest?

A cardiac arrest is also called a cardiopulmonary arrest or circulatory arrest and indicates a sudden stop in effective and normal blood circulation due to failure of the heart to pump blood.

Cardiac Arrest Ethical Issues

Cardiac Arrest Prognosis

Cardiac Arrest Prevention

Cardiac Arrest Treatment

What is Lazarus Syndrome (Autoresuscitation)?

Heart attack and cardiac arrest difference

Latest Cardiac Arrest News and Research

No link between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden cardiac death

The study reveals COVID-19 vaccines do not increase sudden cardiac death risk in youth, highlighting the importance of accurate health messaging.

24 Mar 2026

Early biomarker predicts cognitive impairment after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Routine early measurement of neurofilament light chain could help improve prediction of cognitive impairment after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, according to a study presented today at ESC Acute CardioVascular Care 2026, the annual congress of the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care (ACVC), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

23 Mar 2026

Study finds a clear link between ultraprocessed food and heart disease risk

A prospective analysis of 6,531 adults in the multiethnic MESA cohort found that higher ultraprocessed food intake was associated with a graded increase in incident ASCVD risk, with each additional daily serving linked to about a 5% higher risk. The association was stronger in Black participants, while no significant interaction was seen by sex or income.

18 Mar 2026

Ultra-processed food consumption associated with increased risk for heart disease

People who consumed over nine servings of ultra-processed foods per day on average were 67% more likely to suffer a major cardiac event than people consuming about one serving of such foods per day, in a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

17 Mar 2026

New guidelines outline comprehensive care for acute pulmonary embolism

Early detection and prompt treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), a sudden and potentially life-threatening blood clot that blocks arteries in the lungs, is critical.

19 Feb 2026

Schools and families may not be fully prepared to respond to teen cardiac emergencies

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, including teens, and a new national poll suggests many schools and families may not be fully prepared to respond.

16 Feb 2026

Novel DAMP markers advance myocardial contusion detection

Researchers are exploring a new generation of biochemical markers that may help clinicians detect myocardial contusion. A frequently overlooked form of heart injury caused by blunt chest trauma, earlier and more accurately.

12 Feb 2026

Public preparedness key to improving cardiac arrest survival

When a medical emergency happens, time matters and a quick response is needed. During American Heart Month 2026, the National Fraternal Order of Police joins the American Heart Association in urging Americans everywhere to be the help until help arrives and learn how to respond in a medical emergency such as cardiac arrest – when providing help like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be the difference between life and death.

12 Feb 2026

Artificial lung keeps patient alive after lung removal

Researchers evaluate the effectiveness of a novel extracorporeal total artificial lung system to enable bilateral pneumonectomy in patients with severe ARDS.

5 Feb 2026

New survey reveals widespread myths about Hands-Only CPR

New consumer survey findings from the American Heart Association show that nearly six in every ten American adults still incorrectly believe only those with special training should perform Hands-Only CPR.

4 Feb 2026

Pre-hospital air ambulance care boosts survival after major trauma

Air ambulance pre-hospital care (HEMS) may make surviving critical injury more likely as it's associated with saving 5 more lives than would be expected in every 100 major trauma cases, suggests an analysis of survival data for one regional service in South East England, and published online in Emergency Medicine Journal.

3 Feb 2026

Simpler hemiarch surgery effective for older aortic dissection patients

Ascending aortic hemiarch reconstruction offers the same long-term benefits to patients over age 65 with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) as more complex extended arch reconstruction procedures, according to a study presented today at the 2026 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting.

1 Feb 2026

New model predicts redo surgery risk in adult congenital heart disease

Heart specialists at Mayo Clinic today presented new research at the 2026 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting that redo surgery for adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) remains high-risk, and a clinically applicable national risk assessment model is needed to help patients and care teams make decisions about procedures.

31 Jan 2026

New soft robotic probe enables continuous monitoring of fetus's vital signs

Northwestern University researchers have developed the first device that can continuously track a fetus's vital signs while still in the uterus - a feat that previously has not been possible.

26 Jan 2026

Tips for staying heart-safe during cold weather

While grocery store shelves may be empty, firewood piles filled and cell phones charged, there may be a few more items to check off on your prep list for the upcoming winter storms.

24 Jan 2026

What TV gets wrong about cardiac arrest and CPR

Inaccurate TV portrayals of cardiac arrest and CPR could affect viewer perceptions and actions, emphasizing the need for alignment with current guidelines.

15 Jan 2026

Outdated CPR on TV could delay lifesaving interventions

Scripted television often shows outdated CPR techniques for lay people, potentially fueling misconceptions that could delay bystanders' lifesaving interventions in the crucial moments after a real-life cardiac arrest.

12 Jan 2026

Federal hospital safety metric fails to accurately assess emergency stroke care

A new UCLA study reveals that a widely used federal hospital safety metric is fundamentally flawed when applied to emergency stroke care, potentially creating incentives that may discourage hospitals from performing lifesaving procedures for the sickest patients.

8 Jan 2026

Hospital study shows adrenaline's rapid impact on cardiac arrest

When a patient's heart stops in a hospital, healthcare professionals need to act quickly.

7 Jan 2026

After outpatient cosmetic surgery, they wound up in the hospital or alone at a recovery house

Lisa Farris worried that a nasty infection from recent liposuction and a tummy tuck was rapidly getting worse. So she phoned the cosmetic surgery center to ask if she should head to the emergency room, she alleges in a lawsuit.

23 Dec 2025