Cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical system of the heart malfunctions. The heart stops beating, which means the rest of the body no longer receives the blood it needs to sustain life. Immediate medical intervention is necessary, as cardiac arrest can kill within four to six minutes. The emergency care physicians at MountainView Hospital encourage our neighbors in Las Vegas to learn about their potential risk of cardiac arrest. Your doctor can help you explore ways of managing your risk.
Making lifestyle changes to reduce your risk
Cardiac arrest is strongly linked with coronary artery disease. Because of this, the lifestyle habits that increase the risk of coronary artery disease may also increase the risk of cardiac arrest. These include obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
If you currently don’t exercise, consider talking to your doctor about starting an exercise program. If you have a pre-existing health condition, such as a heart problem, your doctor will evaluate whether it’s safe for you to exercise.
Exercising can also help you control your weight, but if you already have obesity, you’ll also need to make significant dietary changes. Your doctor may refer you to a registered dietician if you want help planning meals and learning about nutrient intake. Focus on making small changes that add up over time.
Talking to your doctor about overcoming addictions
Sudden cardiac death is more common in people who:
- Take recreational drugs
- Drink alcohol to excess
- Smoke tobacco
You don’t have to fight your addiction alone. Your primary care doctor can help you understand your treatment options and refer you to treatment programs or specialists. Beating an addiction takes a lot of hard work, but you can build a network of support to help you move forward.
Exploring your treatment options for heart conditions
A wide range of heart conditions can lead to cardiac arrest. If you’ve been diagnosed with any heart problem, you can benefit from specialized cardiology care. Some of these heart conditions include:
- Scarred heart muscle
- Enlarged heart
- Coronary artery disease
- Blood vessel abnormalities
- Long QT syndrome
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
A cardiologist will thoroughly evaluate you and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.
MountainView Hospital’s Heart Care Services provides world-class care, including specialized surgeries like open heart surgery, vascular surgery and TAVR. Our heart hospital in Las Vegas brings together the latest cutting-edge medical technology with highly trained doctors who are leaders in their field. Call 911 immediately if you need emergency care, or call a registered nurse at (702) 962-5021 for general questions only.
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