Why does Cardiac Arrest/Heart stops beating hurt?

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Watching House again and a couple of times people have died (temporarily) when their hearts stop. But before they go they all mention pain. This reminded me of when people have heart attacks there’s pain in the chest and left arm.

But why would it hurt if the heart stops beating? Is it the nerves, muscles, whatever dying due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients or is it the brain screaming at itself that the heart has stopped and it’s in full panic mode?

In: Biology

5 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Cardiac arrest and heart attacks are two different things. Not a doctor so I won’t pretend I know the details, but cardiac arrest is usually painless and quick. It’s like…. you’re fine and suddenly lights out, you’re unconscious and dead in a matter of minutes if your rhythm isn’t restored.

I survived 12 cardiac arrests in the span of 5 hours. My heart technically didn’t stop beating, it just quivered without rhythm and stopped beating effectively, which stopped blood from begin pumped around. I didn’t have a heart attack, just cardiac arrests. Defibrillated back to life in 11 of those cases and the only thing that physically hurt, was my rib-muscles from the repeated jolts of electricity to my chest.

To be quite honest, if I can choose the way I die, I’d choose that. Just not as young. It’s quick, painless and you don’t see it coming.

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