What causes a cardiac arrest?
The most common underlying reason for patients to die suddenly from cardiac arrest is coronary heart disease. These people are at varying risks for cardiac arrest. In general, those with damaged hearts are at greater risk. Specific risk factors include a previous episode of cardiac arrest, a history of heart failure and a family history of sudden cardiac arrest. Other factors besides heart disease can cause cardiac arrest. They include respiratory arrest, electrocution, drowning, choking and drug overdoses. Cardiac arrest can also occur without any identifiable cause.
