How is cardiac arrested prevented?
Different strategies are available for preventing cardiac arrest, depending on a person’s risk. Doctors may recommend that patients who survive or who are at very high risk for cardiac arrest undergo surgery to place an implantable cardioverter defibrillator under the skin of their abdomen or chest. These devices have tiny wires that connect to the heart and constantly monitor heart rhythms. When they detect dangerous arrhythmias, they deliver electrical shocks that help reestablish normal heart rhythm. Doctors may also prescribe beta-blocker medications or perform procedures to address underlying coronary artery disease and other problems that can cause cardiac arrest.
