Can Cardiac Arrest Happen to Young People? Warning Signs and Risk Factors You Should Know*

Introduction

Cardiac arrest is often associated with older adults, but it can also occur in younger people.

It is important to understand that cardiac arrest can sometimes happen suddenly without warning. However, certain symptoms, personal risk factors and family history may deserve medical attention.

This guide is designed to help you recognise when it may be important to speak to a healthcare professional or seek urgent medical care.

First: What Is Cardiac Arrest?*

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

A person may:

  • Suddenly collapse
  • Become unresponsive
  • Stop breathing normally or only gasp

Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency and requires immediate emergency response.

Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack.

A heart attack is caused by reduced or blocked blood flow to part of the heart muscle. A cardiac arrest involves a sudden loss of effective heart function.

In some situations, a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest.

1. Unexplained Fainting*

Fainting can happen for many reasons, and not every episode is related to the heart. However, unexplained fainting deserves medical evaluation, particularly when it:

  • Happens during exercise
  • Happens without an obvious reason
  • Occurs repeatedly
  • Is accompanied by palpitations or chest discomfort
  • Occurs in someone with a family history of certain heart conditions or sudden unexplained death
2. Chest Pain or Pressure*

Chest discomfort can have many causes.

However, seek medical advice—especially when discomfort:

  • Occurs during physical exertion
  • Repeatedly returns
  • Feels like pressure, tightness or heaviness
  • Occurs with dizziness, sweating, breathlessness or nausea

Sudden or severe chest symptoms should not be ignored.

3. Unusual Shortness of Breath*

Breathlessness can be normal after intense physical activity.

But consider medical evaluation if someone experiences:

  • Breathlessness that seems disproportionate to the activity
  • Sudden unexplained breathlessness
  • Breathlessness combined with chest discomfort
  • Breathlessness combined with dizziness or fainting
4. Rapid or Irregular Heartbeats*

Many people experience occasional palpitations.

However, medical advice may be important when palpitations:

  • Are frequent or persistent
  • Feel unusually rapid or irregular
  • Occur during exercise
  • Are associated with dizziness
  • Are associated with fainting
  • Are associated with chest discomfort
5. Family History Matters*

Speak to a healthcare professional if there is a family history of:

  • Sudden unexplained death at a young age
  • Certain inherited heart conditions
  • Serious heart rhythm problems
  • Unexplained fainting or cardiac events in close relatives

Your doctor can help determine whether further evaluation is appropriate.

Can You Prevent Every Cardiac Arrest?*

No.

Some cardiac arrests happen suddenly and without warning.

However, knowing your personal and family medical history, paying attention to concerning symptoms and seeking medical advice when something feels unusual can be important.

WHEN TO SEEK URGENT HELP*

Seek emergency medical help immediately if someone:

  • Suddenly collapses
  • Becomes unresponsive
  • Is not breathing normally or is only gasping
  • Develops severe chest symptoms or other signs of a medical emergency

Follow instructions from emergency services.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TAKEAWAY*

Don't self-diagnose.

Don't panic.

But don't ignore persistent or unusual symptoms.

Being young is not a reason to dismiss every warning sign.

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