Cardiac Emergencies

Cardiac Emergency Treatment Questions and Answers

Cardiac emergency can be life-threatening and must be treated immediately. Houston Medical ER provide immediate treatment for all sorts of cardiac emergencies. Houston Medical ER is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we are equipped to provide both emergency and non-emergency care! Call us today for more information. We have convenient locations to serve you in Houston TX, and Spring TX.

What is a cardiac emergency?

A cardiac emergency is life-threatening, can strike without warning, and is the number one killer of adults world-wide. To avoid any delay in treatment, and to minimize morbidity and mortality, cardiovascular emergencies must be recognized immediately. A sudden cardiac emergency is the instantaneous loss of heart function, consciousness and breathing, usually a result of a problem with the heart’s electrical system, causing a disruption in the heart’s ability to pump blood, stopping blood flow to the body. Because electrical current controls the rhythm and rate of the heartbeat, if something goes wrong, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly, which is called heart arrhythmia. A common hearth rhythm, at the time of a cardiac arrest emergency, is an arrhythmia in the lower chamber of the heart (ventricle). Erratic and rapid electrical impulses cause the ventricles to quiver erratically and uselessly, rather than pumping blood. This is called ventricle fibrillation.

Death does not have to be certain in a cardiac emergency, provided that fast and appropriate medical care is given. Even a bystander can provide life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by giving the patient chest compressions until emergency care arrives.

People who have no known heart disease can experience sudden cardiac arrest, however, arrhythmia, which is life-threatening, more commonly develops in those with a pre-existing, or undiagnosed heart condition, which include:

• Coronary artery disease – arteries become clogged with cholesterol, restricting blood flow to the heart.
• Heart attack – a result of severe coronary artery disease, can trigger ventricle fibrillation.
• Enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy) – the heart’s muscular walls enlarge and become abnormal leading to arrhythmias.
• Valvular heart disease – narrowing or leaking of heart valves, increased risk of arrhythmia.
• Heart defect at birth – congenital heart disease, cause of cardiac arrest in children.
• Electrical issue in the heart – primary heart rhythm abnormalities, include Brugada syndrome, or long QT syndrome

What are the 3 types of cardiac emergencies?

Prompt initiation of the appropriate treatment upon the recognition of a cardiac emergency can save a life, especially if during one of the three deadliest types of cardiac emergencies, which are:

• Heart failure – one of the most challenging cardiac emergencies to stabilize.
• Sudden cardiac death – (SCD) the heart ceases to beat effectively, and breathing soon stops.
• Acute pericarditis – one of the less frequent of cardiac emergencies. Fluid accumulates in the space surrounding the heart (the pericardium).

What are the signs of a cardiac emergency?

Having an understanding of the signs and symptoms of a cardiac emergency can save a loved one’s life. In the case of sudden cardiac arrest, the signs are drastic and immediate. Call 911 immediately if you witness someone suddenly collapse or stop breathing, or who is experiencing a loss of pulse or consciousness. Other signs do occur before a sudden cardiac arrest, like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, weakness, or fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart palpitations.

Is a heart attack the same as a cardiac arrest?

Both heart attack and cardiac arrest are emergency situations, and urgent care must be sought immediately by calling 911. A heart attack occurs if blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually due to a build-up of cholesterol in the arteries. A cardiac arrest occurs in adults as a result of a heart attack. A person having a heart attack can develop a serious and life-threatening heart rhythm, which can result in cardiac arrest.

At Houston Medical ER, our team of highly skilled, board-certified physicians, and fully ER trained nursing staff are available 24/7, and our facilities are equipped to provide care for all forms medical emergencies.

We take great pride in providing fast, efficient and compassionate care when our patients need it the most. Walk-in service for urgent care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we also provide primary medical care. Call our care centers or visit our website for directions. We serve patients from Houston TX, Spring TX, North Houston TX, The Woodlands TX, Humble TX, Heights TX, Downtown Houston TX, Northwest Houston TX, Northeast Houston TX, Conroe TX, Willis TX, Tomball TX, Cypress TX, and Memorial City TX.