What is Cardiac Arrest?

Kenya has lost one of the most brilliant minds in the Education and Health sectors in the country after the passing of Professor George Magoha at the Nairobi Hospital.

According to the official statement from the Chief Executive Officer of Nairobi hospital, the former Education Cabinet Secretary lost the battle to a cardiac arrest.

His friend Prof. Walter Mwanda, who is a medical doctor at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), was present after receiving a call from the family when he collapsed at his home.

So what causes cardiac arrest?

Health professionals define cardiac arrest as a heart whose electrical system has malfunctioned. The malfunction causes abnormal heart rhythm or a slowed pace of the heart.

The American Heart Association lists top causes of cardiac arrest as Scarring of the heart tissue which may be as a result of a prior heart attack or another cause.

A Thickened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) which can be as a result of damage of high blood pressure, heart valve disease or other causes can make you more prone to sudden cardiac arrest.

The association also lists Heart medications as one of the causes. They indicate that under certain conditions, some heart medications can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest can occur even amongst children and according to the association, Electrical abnormalities which include  Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and Long QT syndrome.

Lastly, Recreational drug use according to the association  can see healthy people get a cardiac arrest.