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Without emergency treatment, cardiac arrests are nearly always fatal. That's why it's so important to dial 911 right away.

Of the people who live through a cardiac arrest, 8 in 10 remain unconscious for some time, and many of them never come round before eventually dying.¹

Only about 2 in 10 people who are unconscious after a cardiac arrest become conscious again. Some of these people are left with permanent brain damage. This means they can't lead a normal life again.¹ If a person's brain is starved of oxygen for more than about four minutes, the brain damage is usually irreversible.

It's hard to say who is likely to recover.¹ People who are least likely to recover are those who:

• Were already very ill before they had their cardiac arrest
• Had a long period when their heart wasn't beating
• Had poor results on tests for reflexes after their cardiac arrest.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.