What are cardiac arrest, heart attack and heart failure? | CNN

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CNN —

Heart disease is a leading killer around the world and the top cause of death in the United States. It killed an estimated 17.9 million people in 2019, representing 32% of all deaths globally, according to the World Health Organization.

But not all heart disease is the same. It can affect the blood vessels to the heart or brain, heart muscles and valves, and other areas of the body. Cardiovascular diseases can require long-term treatment, or they can come on suddenly and seriously.

What is cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest results from electrical disturbances that cause the heart to suddenly stop beating the way it should.

In cardiac arrest, death can result quickly if steps aren’t taken right away. “Cardiac arrest may be reversed if CPR is performed and a defibrillator shocks the heart and restores a normal heart rhythm within a few minutes,” the American Heart Association says.