Cardiac arrest - how common is it - and what causes it in young people? PLEASE read the below, watch the video, and share. Damar Hamlin was surrounded by people trained in CPR- most people with cardiac arrest are not. You (or someone with whom you share this) could be the one person able to save their life. Damar Hamlin’s collapse on the field last night was terrifying. I pray for his recovery. I also see MANY false claims about what could have happened - and think it’s key to both honor him - AND educate - that we clear up these rumors. As an ER doctor (and heart patient myself), here are a few answers to your questions. ⁃ How often does this happen? Cardiac arrest (when the heart suddenly is unable to pump enough blood to the brain) happens in young people (under age 44) at a rate of about 2 / 100,000 per year. That’s rare enough that many people may not know someone to whom it happened - but common enough that I tragically see it not uncommonly in the ER. ⁃ What causes it? A number of potential causes, including congenital abnormalities (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Brugada, WPW, Long QT syndrome, to name a few), trauma (commotio cordis - although this is more rare, or even due to a traumatic brain injury in rare instances), toxin-induced, and infectious (myocarditis), and ischemic (most common cause in older age groups, less common in younger). ⁃ What happens? Immediately after cardiac arrest, CPR needs to start - with defibrillation as quickly as possible afterwards. ⁃ What can YOU do? Make sure that you know CPR. With the latest changes, CPR is now recommended as only HANDS-ONLY, with defibrillation. It’s EASY. You do NOT need medical education to know how to do this and to save a life. Watch the video above (and the beat of the song is to the Bee-Gees “Stayin’ Alive”. Go to @american_heart or @americanredcross to learn more. Hamlin’s cardiac arrest is scary - and more common than most people realize. I pray for his recovery. Leave a Q or comment below. Dr. D . . . . . . . #ertip #erdoctor #drdarria #emergencyroomdoctor #emergencymedicine #docsofinsta #physician #ems #emergencymedicalservices #emt #emtlife #residency #ernurse #ernurses