Cardiac arrest symptoms can appear 24 hours in advance

Research published in Lancet Digital Health indicates that characteristic symptoms of cardiac arrest can appear up to 24 hours before the event, potentially increasing survival rates if recognized.

According to Dr. Sumeet Chugh, medical director of the Arrhythmia Center, approximately 50 percent of men and women report warning symptoms prior to cardiac arrest. For men, the primary precursor is often the sudden onset of chest pain. In women, the most common sign is sudden difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood, often due to arrhythmias. While loss of consciousness is a common immediate sign, identifying these earlier physiological warnings can provide critical time for medical intervention.