Unless it's treated quickly, sudden cardiac arrest&mdash;when the heart stops functioning properly&mdash;is often fatal. But hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if begun immediately, can double or triple the chances of survival. That's why it is so important to know these red flags.
<img alt="" src="[BASEDOMAIN]/Client_Files/Default/HI/System/Image_cardiacArrestSigns-UPDATED.png">
Learn more about your heart and how to keep it healthy. Start by taking our <a href="[BASEDOMAIN]/healthinfo/Story.aspx?StoryID=c7afb44a-7c1b-4665-9ffd-f9d6ac523551">heart rhythm quiz</a>.
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Reviewed 10/12/2023
Sources
<ul>
 <li style="text-align: left;">American Heart Association. "CPR is Key to Survival of Sudden Cardiac Arrest."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/07/12/cpr-is-key-to-survival-of-sudden-cardiac-arrest" target="_blank">https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/07/12/cpr-is-key-to-survival-of-sudden-cardiac-arrest</a>.</li>
 <li style="text-align: left;">American Heart Association. "Emergency Treatment of Sudden Cardiac Arrest."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/emergency-treatment-of-cardiac-arrest" target="_blank">https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/emergency-treatment-of-cardiac-arrest</a>.</li>
 <li style="text-align: left;">American Heart Association. "U.S. Commemorates 57th Consecutive American Heart Month in February."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heart.org/en/around-the-aha/february-is-american-heart-month" target="_blank">https://www.heart.org/en/around-the-aha/february-is-american-heart-month</a>.</li>
 <li style="text-align: left;">American Red Cross. "Hands-only CPR."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/hands-only-cpr" target="_blank">https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/hands-only-cpr</a>.</li>
</ul>

Recognize sudden cardiac arrest

If you spot these three signs of sudden cardiac arrest, you'll need to take immediate action. 