Sudden cardiac arrest is preceded by a number of precursor symptoms, which manifest themselves as general discomfort, irritability, chest pain and stuffy breath. When cardiac arrest occurs, it is manifested by sudden loss of consciousness or brief convulsions, respiratory arrest or sigh-like wheezing, and loss of carotid artery pulsation.
In the event of cardiac arrest, CPR should be performed immediately. Timely and effective CPR gives the patient a chance of survival. In basic CPR includes automated external defibrillation, chest compressions and artificial respiration, with a ratio of 30:2 of chest compressions to artificial respiration.