Treatment and Recovery Options for Cardiac Arrest Survivors

Experiencing a traumatic cardiac incident such as cardiac arrest will have a long-lasting impact on the affected individual. Luckily, there are a multitude of treatment and recovery plans available for those who have experienced a cardiac incident. This brief, informative piece will cover the treatment and recovery regarding cardiac arrest.

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A cardiac arrest is the abrupt stoppage of the heart from beating. It can be an incredibly traumatic event that requires a long recovery and treatment regime. The recovery plan for cardiac incidents will vary between individuals, as factors such as age, ethnicity, lifestyle, and additional medical conditions have a large impact on the cardiac event and the subsequent recovery. In addition to the universal recommendation of lifestyle changes, medication is very commonly prescribed.

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There are 4 types of medication most commonly prescribed for those recovering from a cardiac arrest incident: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, antiplatelets, beta blockers, and statins (Recovering From a Heart Attack, n.d.).

​ACE inhibitors	​ACE inhibitors prevent the production of angiotensin II, the main effector molecule for RAS (renin-angiotensin system) — responsible for reducing the hormones which promote the narrowing of blood vessels (angiotensin ii) and raise blood pressure (renin). (Negri, n.d.; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors, n.d.).
​Antiplatelets	​Antiplatelents reduce the “stickiness” of platelets, which reduces the likelihood of blood clots. Less blockage, therefore less chance of cardiac arrest. (Recovering From a Heart Attack, n.d.).
​Beta Blockers	​Beta Blockers are prescribed to relax the heart, so there is less strain placed on it as it beats (Recovering From a Heart Attack, n.d.).
Statin	Statin works to lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. LDL is known to form deposits in the walls of arteries, blocking blood flow and increasing blood pressure.

The prognosis for recovering from a cardiac incident such as cardiac arrest are unique to every individual but is often positive.

Medical practitioners might use some of the following criteria to determine a prognosis:

• neurological function

• neurophysiologic function

• neuroimaging

• biochemistry of the blood or cerebral fluid

(Prognosis for Cardiac Arrest Survivors, 2021).

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In summary, the recovery and treatment after undergoing a cardiac incident are unique to the individual, but a tailored treatment plan will often lead to a return to the patient’s normal quality of life prior to the cardiac incident.

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FLASH SUMMARY

TRUE OR FALSE: Medication for cardiac incident recovery is the same for all patients.

FALSE. Recovering from a cardiac incident is unique to the individual

What are the four main types of medication prescribed by doctors to recover for a cardiac incident?

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

• antiplatelets

• beta blockers

• Statins

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References

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved November 19, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/ace-inhibitors/art-20047480

Negri, M. (n.d.). Angiotensin II revisited: new roles in inflammation, immunology and aging. NCBI. Retrieved November 19, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3377325/

Prognosis for Cardiac Arrest Survivors. (2021, January 29). American Heart Association. Retrieved November 19, 2022, from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/emergency-treatment-of-cardiac-arrest/prognosis-for-cardiac-arrest-survivors

Recovering from a heart attack. (n.d.). NHS. Retrieved November 19, 2022, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-attack/recovery/

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