Define the term "cardiac arrest."

The term "cardiac arrest" specifically refers to a sudden cessation of heart function, which results in the loss of circulation and respiration. During cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood effectively, leading to a rapid decline in oxygen delivery to vital organs, including the brain. This condition is life-threatening and requires immediate medical intervention, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or defibrillation, to restore normal heart function and circulation.

Understanding how cardiac arrest differs from other cardiac conditions is crucial. For example, alternatives like a slow heartbeat or irregular heartbeat may lead to heart-related symptoms, but these do not equate to complete heart failure and the immediate risk of death that characterizes cardiac arrest. Temporary reductions in heart function could be associated with conditions like heart failure or ischemia but do not represent the acute and catastrophic failure of the heart that occurs in cardiac arrest.