cardiac arrest

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. abrupt cessation of heartbeat.

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cardiac arrest British  

noun

1. failure of the pumping action of the heart, resulting in loss of consciousness and absence of pulse and breathing: a medical emergency requiring immediate resuscitative treatment

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cardiac arrest Cultural  

1. See heart attack.

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Etymology

Origin of cardiac arrest

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

He went into cardiac arrest while at the hospital and required three rounds of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Pilgrims perform most of the hajj's rites outdoors where more than a million devotees gather in stifling conditions, with many attendees succumbing to heatstroke, fainting spells and even cardiac arrest triggered by the heat.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

If someone is in cardiac arrest, they collapse suddenly and:

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Charles founded the nonprofit in 2013 in honor of her late aunt, Maureen “Hopey” Vaz, to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and provide automated external defibrillators to schools and recreation centers that need them.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

I experienced cardiac arrest in the Hall of Mirrors.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell