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

The cause of death, the brother-in-law was told, was cardiac arrest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

That morning, she was in full cardiac arrest.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

“It’s just getting back to where it was before the incident,” LeBron said Friday, referencing Bronny’s cardiac arrest caused by a congenital heart defect on July 24, 2023.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Compared with the lowest group, those in the highest group had a 67% greater risk of dying from coronary heart disease or stroke, or experiencing non-fatal heart attacks, strokes or resuscitated cardiac arrest.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

"Could you get a nurse? My chest feels very...tight. I think I'm going into cardiac arrest."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda