Cardiovascular arrest is almost always triggered by a preceding heart attack or by a cardiac arrhythmia. In this case, the normal electrical impulse emitted by the sinus node in the heart, which triggers the efficient contraction of the heart, changes into an uncontrolled "fibrillation". If this fibrillation extends to the ventricles (ventricular fibrillation), they can no longer contract. The blood in the heart muscle is not pumped forward, and the blood supply to the body and brain fails. By means of a dosed electric shock, the so-called "defibrillation", the life-threatening ventricular fibrillation can be remedied and the heart activity can be normalised again.
Thanks to the simple operation and the significantly better chances of survival of the affected person with rapid defibrillation, defibrillators can and should be used not only in professional rescue services, but also in public spaces and, if necessary, in private homes.
More at: Swiss Heart Foundation
