Every year, thousands of people experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. It can happen at home, at work, at school, in a public place, or anywhere people live and gather.

Unlike a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively. Without immediate treatment, cardiac arrest can quickly become fatal.

The good news is that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference.

Recognizing cardiac arrest, calling 911, starting CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) when available can help give someone the best possible chance of survival while emergency medical services are on the way.

During National Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance encourages everyone to learn the basics of responding to an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

You don’t have to be a healthcare professional to save a life.

What Is Cardiac Arrest?

Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem that causes the heart to suddenly stop beating effectively.

When the heart stops pumping blood, oxygen is no longer being delivered normally to the brain and other vital organs.

Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency.

Without immediate intervention, death can occur within minutes.

Cardiac arrest can happen to people with known heart disease, but it can also happen to someone who has never been diagnosed with a heart condition.

It can occur in adults, children, and infants, although the causes may differ.

Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack: What’s the Difference?

The terms “cardiac arrest” and “heart attack” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.

Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively.

The person will typically:

• Suddenly collapse
• Become unresponsive
• Not breathe normally or may only gasp

Immediate CPR and rapid access to an AED can be lifesaving.

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked.

A person having a heart attack is usually conscious and may experience:

• Chest pressure, squeezing, or pain
• Pain or discomfort in the arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness

A heart attack can cause cardiac arrest, but most heart attacks do not immediately result in cardiac arrest.

If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

What Is an Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest?

An out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, often abbreviated OHCA, is a cardiac arrest that occurs somewhere other than a hospital.

That could mean:

• At home
• At work
• At school
• In a restaurant
• At a sporting event
• In a shopping center
• On a roadway
• In another public location

Because the event occurs outside a medical facility, there can be a critical gap between the moment a person’s heart stops and the arrival of emergency medical professionals.

Bystanders can help bridge that gap.

That’s why knowing CPR and knowing how to use an AED can be so important.

How Common Is Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest?

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a major public health issue in the United States.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States each year, and the majority of these events occur in residential settings.

Because so many cardiac arrests happen at home, knowing what to do could mean helping a spouse, parent, child, friend, neighbor, or another loved one.

How to Recognize Cardiac Arrest

One of the most important things you can learn is how to recognize cardiac arrest.

A person experiencing cardiac arrest will generally:

1. Suddenly collapse
2. Be unresponsive
3. Not breathe normally

The person may make occasional abnormal gasping sounds.

These gasps are called agonal respirations. They are not normal breathing.

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, do not wait to see if they improve.

Treat the situation as cardiac arrest.

What Should You Do If Someone Goes Into Cardiac Arrest?

Remember these basic steps:

1. Make Sure the Scene Is Safe

Before approaching the person, make sure you are not putting yourself in danger.

If the scene is safe, approach the person and check for responsiveness.

2. Check for a Response

Tap the person and shout to see whether they respond.

If they do not respond and are not breathing normally, act immediately.

3. Call 911

Call 911 as soon as possible.

If another person is nearby, tell them to call 911 and get an AED.

If you’re alone with an adult who has collapsed, call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Today’s 911 systems can provide emergency CPR instructions over the phone in many circumstances.

4. Start CPR

If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR.

For an adult, hands-only CPR is an option for people who are not trained in conventional CPR or who are unwilling or unable to provide rescue breaths.

Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

The American Heart Association recommends chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

Don’t be afraid to act.

Some CPR is better than no CPR.

5. Use an AED if One Is Available

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is designed to analyze a person’s heart rhythm and determine whether an electrical shock is appropriate.

AEDs are designed for use by members of the public and provide voice and/or visual instructions to guide the rescuer.

If an AED is available:

• Turn it on
• Follow the instructions
• Attach the pads as directed
• Make sure no one is touching the person when the device tells you to analyze or deliver a shock
• Follow the AED’s instructions
• Resume CPR when instructed

You do not need to be a medical professional to use an AED.

Why CPR Matters

When cardiac arrest occurs, every minute matters.

CPR does not necessarily restart the heart by itself. Instead, chest compressions help circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs until an AED can be used or professional medical care arrives.

The combination of:

911 + CPR + AED + EMS

can create a critical chain of survival.

The faster each link happens, the better the opportunity for a successful outcome.

Why AEDs Matter

An AED can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, when appropriate, deliver a shock intended to help restore an effective rhythm.

Early defibrillation can be particularly important for cardiac arrests caused by shockable rhythms.

You may have seen AEDs in:

• Schools
• Airports
• Gyms
• Sports facilities
• Churches
• Businesses
• Government buildings
• Community centers
• Other public locations

If you see an AED in your workplace or community, take a moment to notice where it is located.

You never know when you may need it.

You Don’t Have to Be an Expert to Help

One of the biggest barriers to bystander CPR is fear.

People may worry:

“What if I do it wrong?”

“What if I hurt the person?”

“I’m not trained.”

“What if I’m wrong about whether it’s cardiac arrest?”

Don’t let fear prevent you from acting.

If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

For adults, hands-only CPR can be performed by an untrained bystander.

The goal is not perfection.

The goal is to keep blood moving until professional help arrives.

What If I Don’t Know CPR?

Learn it.

CPR training is widely available through organizations such as the American Heart Association and American Red Cross, as well as hospitals, community organizations, schools, workplaces, and other local programs.

Even basic CPR training can help you feel more prepared to respond during an emergency.

Consider taking a course that teaches:

• Adult CPR
• Child CPR
• Infant CPR
• AED use
• Choking response

Families with children, caregivers, teachers, coaches, childcare workers, healthcare workers, and community leaders can all benefit from knowing these skills.

What Is Hands-Only CPR?

Hands-only CPR is a simplified approach for an adult who suddenly collapses.

It involves:

Call 911.

Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

The American Heart Association recommends hands-only CPR for untrained bystanders responding to an adult who suddenly collapses.

If you are trained in conventional CPR and willing and able to provide rescue breaths, follow the CPR method you were taught.

For infants, children, drowning victims, and certain other situations, conventional CPR with rescue breaths can be especially important. When in doubt, call 911 and follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.

Cardiac Arrest Can Happen to Anyone

Many people associate cardiac arrest with older adults or people with known heart disease.

While the risk of cardiac arrest increases with age and certain medical conditions, cardiac arrest can happen unexpectedly.

It can happen to someone who appears healthy.

That’s why awareness matters.

You don’t need to know someone’s complete medical history to respond.

If someone suddenly collapses, is unresponsive, and isn’t breathing normally, the priority is to recognize the emergency and act quickly.

What Can Communities Do to Improve Cardiac Arrest Survival?

Improving survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest isn’t only about what happens inside an ambulance or hospital.

It starts in the community.

Communities can strengthen their response by:

Increasing CPR Training

The more people who know CPR, the greater the likelihood that someone nearby will be prepared to respond.

Schools, employers, churches, civic organizations, sports programs, and community groups can all encourage CPR training.

Increasing AED Awareness

Knowing where AEDs are located can save valuable time.

Businesses and organizations should make AED locations easy to identify and ensure that staff know how to access them.

Practicing Emergency Response

Organizations can conduct emergency response drills so people know who will call 911, where the AED is located, and how to respond if someone collapses.

Encouraging People to Act

Public awareness campaigns can help overcome the hesitation that sometimes prevents bystanders from starting CPR.

The most important responder may be the person standing closest to the victim.

What Can Families Do?

Cardiac arrest preparedness can start at home.

Families can:

• Learn CPR
• Learn how to use an AED
• Know how to call 911
• Discuss emergency plans
• Keep emergency contacts accessible
• Know where the nearest AEDs are located
• Encourage family members to receive CPR training

Because many out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home, CPR knowledge isn’t just a workplace skill—it is a family safety skill.

What Can Businesses and Organizations Do?

Businesses, schools, churches, gyms, sports organizations, and community facilities can help create safer environments by developing cardiac emergency plans.

Consider:

• Providing CPR/AED training
• Identifying trained responders
• Clearly marking AED locations
• Maintaining AED equipment according to manufacturer recommendations
• Conducting emergency drills
• Posting emergency addresses and location information where appropriate
• Ensuring staff know how to activate 911
• Reviewing the organization’s emergency response procedures

A few minutes of preparation can make a significant difference during an actual emergency.

The Mississippi Healthcare Alliance and Cardiac Arrest Awareness

Improving outcomes from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest requires an entire community.

It requires informed citizens, trained bystanders, emergency dispatchers, first responders, emergency medical professionals, hospitals, healthcare providers, public health organizations, and community partners working together.

The Mississippi Healthcare Alliance is committed to improving healthcare outcomes and supporting awareness across Mississippi.

National Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month is an opportunity to remind every Mississippian that lifesaving action doesn’t always begin in an emergency department.

Sometimes it begins with a bystander who recognizes cardiac arrest.

Someone who calls 911.

Someone who starts CPR.

Someone who knows where the AED is.

Someone who is willing to act.

Learn CPR. Know Your AED. Be Ready to Act.

You don’t have to be a doctor, nurse, paramedic, or other healthcare professional to make a difference during a cardiac emergency.

You just need to know what to look for and what to do.

Remember:

Recognize

Sudden collapse + unresponsiveness + abnormal or absent breathing = possible cardiac arrest.

Call

Call 911 immediately.

Compress

Start CPR and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Defibrillate

Use an AED as soon as one is available and follow its instructions.

Continue

Continue CPR and follow the directions of the 911 dispatcher and responding emergency professionals.

Your actions could help save a life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

What is an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest?

An out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart suddenly stops pumping effectively outside of a hospital. It can happen at home, at work, in public places, or anywhere else in the community.

What are the signs of cardiac arrest?

A person experiencing cardiac arrest will typically suddenly collapse, become unresponsive, and stop breathing normally. Occasional gasping is not normal breathing.

Should I call 911 if someone is unresponsive but gasping?

Yes. Abnormal gasping can occur during cardiac arrest. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Can an untrained person perform CPR?

Yes. For an adult who suddenly collapses, an untrained bystander can perform hands-only CPR by calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest.

How fast should I perform chest compressions?

For adult CPR, the American Heart Association recommends a compression rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

Can I use an AED if I’m not a healthcare professional?

Yes. AEDs are designed to provide instructions to help members of the public use them. Turn the device on and follow its voice and visual prompts.

What if I’m afraid I’ll hurt the person?

The situation is already a life-threatening emergency. Don’t let fear of doing CPR incorrectly stop you from acting. Call 911 and follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.

What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping effectively. A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, but they are different medical emergencies.

Where can I learn CPR in Mississippi?

CPR training is available through organizations such as the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, healthcare organizations, employers, schools, and community programs. Look for an accredited CPR course in your area and consider taking both CPR and AED training.

This National Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, Be the Person Who Knows What to Do

Cardiac arrest can happen without warning.

When it does, the first few minutes matter.

A bystander who recognizes cardiac arrest, calls 911, begins CPR, and uses an AED can become a critical link in the chain of survival.

This National Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, don’t just learn the facts.

Learn the skills.

Learn CPR.

Know where the AED is.

Know how to call 911.

Be ready to act.

Because when someone’s heart stops, the person standing nearby may be their first—and most important—chance for survival.

Mississippi Healthcare Alliance

Working together to promote healthier communities and better outcomes for Mississippians.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice or emergency medical services. In an emergency, call 911.