Saturday, March 22nd, 2025

Cases of cardiac arrest are increasing in children, CDC suggests 7 ways to save children.


The increasing cases of heart attack and cardiac arrest remain a big challenge for countries around the world. Generally, after the age of 40 or 45 years, the risk of heart related diseases increases in people. But now cases of heart attack are being reported in children also.

Recently, an 8-year-old girl died of cardiac arrest in a private school in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This death has shocked everyone. Meanwhile, the biggest question is whether every child is at risk of cardiac arrest and what kind of symptoms are seen in it.

Research published in the National Library of Medicine (refIf we believe, then cardiac arrest is rare in children as compared to adults. But if effective and high quality CPR is given to the patient immediately, life can be saved. A report from the University of California (ref), an estimated 350,000 Americans (adults and children) die from sudden cardiac arrest each year. Let us know about the causes of cardiac arrest in children and ways to avoid it.

Photo – Freepik/iStock

What is cardiac arrest?

cardiac arrest (heart failureHealth experts have called it a serious health emergency. Because in this the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly. Due to this, blood circulation stops in other parts of the body including the brain. In cardiac arrest, if the patient does not receive immediate treatment, he/she may die.

Many people mistake it for a heart attack, but cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart becomes very low or blocked.

Why do children suffer from cardiac arrest?

Why do children suffer from cardiac arrest?

Amidst the increasing cases of cardiac arrest in children, it is important to know why this problem is happening in children and what are the reasons for it. According to the National Library of Medicine, cardiac arrest in children can have many causes, including respiratory, cardiovascular, infectious and traumatic causes. Among these, respiratory causes are considered to be the most common.

Health experts told this as the main reason

Health experts told this as the main reason

Respiratory infections include pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, apnea, smoke inhalation and drowning. At the same time, infectious causes include sepsis and meningitis. Cardiac causes can be congenital lesions, arrhythmia, commotion cordis, cardiomyopathy. Whereas traumatic causes include blunt trauma to the head or chest, drowning and child abuse.

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms

Let us tell you that cardiac arrest can occur in children even without any symptoms. In very rare cases, the patient may have chest pain. Here are the symptoms of cardiac arrest in children-

difficulty breathing

fainting suddenly

dizzy

Chest pain in rare cases

How to avoid cardiac arrest

How to avoid cardiac arrest

If there is a family history of cardiac arrest, then after consulting the doctor, get the necessary heart related tests done at the age of 10 years.

Unhealthy and junk foods are also the cause of cardiac arrest, hence keep children away from such foods.

Maintain healthy weight of the child.

Motivate your child for physical activity and play.

Along with this, it is important that the child gets adequate sleep and remains tension free.

If possible, inculcate the habit of daily exercise in your child since childhood.

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