Featured Post from ChristianaCare

What Are Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack?

Jan 4, 2023

4 min

Kirk Garratt, M.D., MSc

Fast Action Saves Lives.


When Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals, it brought urgency to knowing signs of a cardiac arrest and what to do in case of a medical emergency involving the heart.


It’s a common misunderstanding that cardiac arrest and heart attack are the same. They are different, but both are very serious heart problems and require fast action to save lives.


"I think the very best bit of news for Mr. Hamlin is that the emergency medical technicians got to him very quickly." 


Heart attack and other conditions, including a rare type of trauma called commotio cordis, may disrupt the heart’s rhythm and lead to cardiac arrest. Commotio cordis can occur from a severe blow to the chest as in a sports injury.



What is cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest happens when the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly. Cardiac arrest is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat known as arrhythmia. The heart’s cardiac conduction system – or “electrical” system – is a specialized network of heart cells that keeps it beating regularly and effectively.


With the heart’s pumping action disrupted, it cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs or other organs.


Cardiac arrest often happens to people who didn’t know they had a heart problem.


Symptoms of cardiac arrest

Seconds after a cardiac arrest, a person becomes unresponsive, is not breathing or is only gasping. Death can occur within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment.



Causes of cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest can run in families. People who have a family history of sudden cardiac death have a higher risk for sudden cardiac death.


Other health problems can increase the chance of a deadly heart rhythm including:

  • Heart disease (coronary artery disease).
  • A heart attack.
  • Heart failure.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This makes the heart thicker and larger than normal.


Blow to the chest that disrupts the heart rhythm as in commotio cordis.

Speak with your health care provider to learn if you have a health problem that raises your risk of cardiac arrest; treatment of that problem may help lower your risk. Medicine often can control the heart rhythm.


Helping someone having a cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest can be reversible in some victims if treated within a few minutes. Health professionals, family or friends and even strangers may be able to help a person right away who has cardiac arrest.


  1. First, call 911 and start CPR right away. Click here for CPR basics, including videos.
  2. Then, if an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available, use it as soon as possible. AEDs are often available in airports, malls, and other public places. Click here for how to use an AED.
  3. If two people are available to help, one should begin CPR immediately while the other calls 911 and finds an AED.


In the ambulance and hospital, the person will receive emergency care. This care keeps the heart and lungs working to prevent damage to the body due to lack of oxygen. Doctors will try to find the cause of the cardiac arrest to prevent another one.


AEDs are portable, life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly.


What is a heart attack?

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. A heart attack is a circulation problem with the heart.


A heart attack occurs when part of the heart muscle does not get enough blood and oxygen. This part of the heart starts to die.


Symptoms of a heart attack

The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or pressure. Some people describe it as discomfort, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest. Other symptoms may be immediate and may include intense discomfort in the chest or other areas of the upper body, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea or vomiting.


Some people feel symptoms in other parts of their upper body such as:

  • Pain or discomfort in your back, jaw, throat, upper belly or arm.
  • Sweat, feeling sick to your stomach or vomiting.
  • Trouble breathing.
  • Feeling lightheaded or suddenly weak.
  • A racing or fluttering heartbeat.


More often, though, heart attack symptoms start slowly and persist for hours, days or weeks before a heart attack. Unlike with cardiac arrest, the heart usually does not stop beating during a heart attack. The longer the person goes without treatment, the greater the damage.


Heart attack symptoms in women can be different than men (shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain).


Address heart attack symptoms immediately

Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, call 911 if you have symptoms. Every minute matters. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. These professionals also are trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.


Click here for CPR training classes held by the American Heart Association in your area.



Connect with:
Kirk Garratt, M.D., MSc

Kirk Garratt, M.D., MSc

Medical Director of Center for Heart & Vascular Health and John H. Ammon Chair of Cardiology

Dr. Garratt oversees one of the nation's busiest heart programs, renown for its exceptional speed in heart attack response times.

CardiologyCardiovascular DiseaseHeart Health
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from ChristianaCare

ChristianaCare, Lisen Imprinting Diagnostics Launch Research Collaboration to Improve Lung Cancer Diagnosis featured image

3 min

ChristianaCare, Lisen Imprinting Diagnostics Launch Research Collaboration to Improve Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Researchers at ChristianaCare and Delaware-based Lisen Imprinting Diagnostics (LisenID) are launching a study to validate a technology designed to detect one of the earliest molecular markers linked to lung cancer development, potentially helping physicians find answers when biopsy results are unclear. The collaboration, led by ChristianaCare’s Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, will evaluate LisenID’s QCIGISH (Quantitative Chromogenic Imprinted Gene In-Situ Hybridization) diagnostic platform in patients enrolled in ChristianaCare’s lung cancer screening and diagnostics program. Researchers will validate whether the technology can identify early molecular changes linked to cancer in tissue samples before those changes are visible on pathology under a microscope, potentially adding useful information when biopsy results are inconclusive. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Delaware and across the United States. Survival is much higher when the disease is found early, which has increased interest in tools that may help improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis. Addressing a common challenge in cancer diagnosis As cancer screening technology evolves, earlier and smaller lesions are found that clinicians must confidently and accurately diagnose. In about 20% of cases, a lung biopsy does not provide enough information to confirm or rule out cancer. Other times, the tissue sample is limited or the results are unclear, leading to repeat testing, months of delay to diagnosis and worse patient outcomes. Traditional pathology relies on examining cells under a microscope. LisenID’s technology is designed to detect early molecular changes in biopsy samples linked to cancer that may not yet be visible through standard methods. Researchers will evaluate whether this technology can help in difficult diagnostic cases. “Advances in cancer care depend on evaluating new approaches that may improve diagnosis,” said Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D., Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. “This collaboration brings together clinicians and researchers to study a technology that could help reduce uncertainty for patients and support better decisions in challenging cases.” Bringing research to patient care The project brings together specialists from ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, including thoracic surgeons, interventional pulmonologists and cancer researchers. The clinical effort is being led by Brian Nam, M.D., chief of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonary. “One of the most difficult situations for patients is when a biopsy does not give a clear answer,” Nam said. “We may not have enough tissue or the results may be unclear. We are evaluating whether this technology can provide additional information that helps guide next steps and reduce uncertainty.” Jennifer Sims-Mourtada, Ph.D., associate director of the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, said the study reflects the center’s focus on moving promising discoveries into clinical testing. “Our role is to rigorously evaluate new approaches in a clinical setting,” Sims-Mourtada said. “This technology has shown promise in published research and through collaborations with leading institutions. We are now working to determine whether it can provide meaningful information that supports better clinical decisions.” Building on prior research The collaboration builds on prior research involving the technology. LisenID reports its platform has been built on research on more than 10,000 clinical cases through collaborations with hospitals and medical centers in the United States and Internationally. Research published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Epigenetics, has suggested that early molecular changes in gene activity may help identify early lung cancer and evaluate small pulmonary nodules. Last year, LisenID also announced a research collaboration with Mayo Clinic focused on advancing applications of its technology in cancer diagnosis. The company was recognized as one of the top graduates of the 2026 Creative Destruction Lab Cancer Stream, a highly selective international accelerator for science-based startups. Tina Cheng, M.D., co-founder of LisenID, said the collaboration will help evaluate the technology in real-world clinical settings. “Some of the earliest changes in cancer occur at a molecular level before they can be seen under a microscope,” Cheng said. “Our goal is to validate the applicability of our test in clinical cases to see how the test can help physicians when standard testing does not provide clear answers.” The collaboration highlights growing ties between Delaware’s health care and biotechnology communities. By combining ChristianaCare’s cancer expertise with LisenID’s diagnostic technology, the organizations aim to improve tools that may help physicians diagnose lung cancer more accurately and earlier.

ChristianaCare Expands Access to Physical Therapy With New In Home Collaboration With Luna featured image

3 min

ChristianaCare Expands Access to Physical Therapy With New In Home Collaboration With Luna

ChristianaCare is joining forces with Luna, the leading provider of in home, in person outpatient physical therapy, to expand access to care by bringing hands on physical therapy directly into patients’ homes. The new service, ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, will begin taking appointments in June. The collaboration is designed to reduce barriers to care, support strong recovery outcomes and give patients a convenient way to begin physical therapy. Care Delivered Where Patients Need It Most Unlike remote or virtual therapy, the service will provide one on one, hands on care delivered by licensed physical therapists in the convenience of a patient’s home or office. Through Luna’s platform, patients can request care and are matched with a licensed physical therapist who delivers 45 to 55 minute in home sessions and continues in person care throughout the patient’s treatment plan. “Our collaboration with Luna reflects a simple belief: if we can safely deliver high quality care in the home, we should make that option available,” said Jennifer Thomas, MBA, MS, vice president, Rehabilitation Services at ChristianaCare. “By meeting patients where they are, we remove common barriers to care and help people stay engaged in their recovery, regain independence and remain connected to daily life.” Designed to Help More Patients Get Started Too many people who are referred to physical therapy never take the first step. Research on patients referred to physical therapy has found that only about 50% to 76% attend an initial appointment. Travel challenges, scheduling conflicts and difficulty accessing care can all get in the way. ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, is designed to make it easier for patients to begin care without delay by bringing licensed physical therapists directly to them and offering scheduling that fits into daily life. “Our focus is on timely access and helping patients get started,” Thomas said. “When care is easier to access and fits into a person’s routine, it is much more likely they will begin treatment. From there, our care teams support patients through a plan that is tailored to their needs and focused on meaningful recovery.” Different From Home Health Care ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, follows an outpatient care model, not home health care. Patients do not need to be homebound to receive services. The program focuses on improving strength, balance and movement and is typically covered under Medicare Part B. This differs from home health care, which serves homebound patients who need short term medical services and is usually covered under Medicare Part A. ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna, can address many of the conditions commonly treated by ChristianaCare Rehabilitation Services, including orthopedic and sports injuries, post surgical rehabilitation, geriatric care, vestibular therapy, women’s health and lymphedema. Experienced Partner With Broad Clinical Expertise Luna has extensive experience delivering in home outpatient physical therapy and partners with health systems nationwide. “We are proud to work with ChristianaCare to expand access to high quality physical therapy in the home,” said Lily Beltran, co-founder and President at Luna. “Our shared focus is on removing barriers to care and delivering consistent, hands on therapy that helps patients recover, stay engaged and achieve their goals.” The service is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare, with the same co pay as facility based physical therapy. Patients can request in home care by calling ChristianaCare Rehab Services’ access center at 302-623-1500. ChristianaCare Physical Therapy At Home, Powered by Luna is a service offering of ChristianaCare Rehabilitation Services, which provides comprehensive, patient centered rehabilitation care across a wide range of settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient facilities, community locations and now in the home.

ChristianaCare Advances New Health Campus in Camden, Delaware to Close Care Gaps featured image

3 min

ChristianaCare Advances New Health Campus in Camden, Delaware to Close Care Gaps

ChristianaCare has taken another major step to expand access to high quality care across Delaware by submitting a Notice of Intent to the Delaware Health Resources Board to develop a new health campus in Camden. Like the Georgetown campus announced in February, the proposed campus will include a health center and a neighborhood hospital and is part of the $865 million statewide commitment announced last July. “For many people in central Delaware, getting timely emergency or specialty care can still mean long drives or long waits,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and CEO of ChristianaCare. “We are investing in facilities that bring care closer to where people live. This campus reflects our commitment to ensuring every Delawarean, no matter their ZIP code, can count on timely, compassionate, high-quality care close to home.” Closing Care Gaps in Central and Southern Delaware The approximately 38,000‑square‑foot Camden campus will be located on the west side of Route 13, just south of Lochmeath Way. It is expected to open in late 2028 or early 2029 and will bring primary care, specialty care and outpatient services together in one location, supported by eight emergency department beds and eight inpatient beds. The project will create 83 new jobs for the community, including 60 positions at the neighborhood hospital and 23 at the health center. Kent and Sussex counties are both designated as Medically Underserved Areas by the Health Resources and Services Administration. At the same time, the region is growing quickly. By 2030, the population in central and southern Delaware is expected to increase by 8 percent, with residents aged 65 and older growing even faster, by 22 percent. Shortages in primary care, behavioral health and specialty services have forced many residents to travel long distances for care. The Camden campus will help change that by bringing essential services closer to home. Expanding Capacity on a Strong Foundation The Camden campus represents a $58.1 million investment and reflects ChristianaCare’s focus on access, coordination and community need. ChristianaCare already provides a broad range of services in Kent County, including primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, home health, hospice and virtual care. The Camden campus will build on this foundation by increasing capacity and making care more convenient as demand grows. Partnering to Deliver Care Close to Home ChristianaCare is partnering with Emerus Holdings, Inc. on the neighborhood hospital component. Emerus is the nation’s leading developer of this model, with 49 acute care facilities across the country. “Communities are stronger when people can depend on care close to home,” said Vic Schmerbeck, CEO of Emerus Holdings, Inc. “We are proud to partner with ChristianaCare to deliver a neighborhood hospital that provides high quality care in a setting designed around the needs of the community.” Growing Access Across the Region The ChristianaCare Georgetown campus is planned for 20769 DuPont Boulevard at an estimated cost of $65.1 million. ChristianaCare is also expanding this innovative care model beyond Delaware. In July 2025, the system opened a neighborhood hospital at its West Grove Campus in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Additional campuses are planned in Springfield and Aston in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

View all posts
Powered by