cardiac arrest

noun

: temporary or permanent cessation of the heartbeat

Examples of cardiac arrest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The use of an ECG alone has detection levels of up to 85 per cent, but some studies suggest an even greater rate for what are known as ‘silent killers’, where the vast majority display no symptoms before cardiac arrest. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Rates of sudden cardiac arrest or death are low, the guidance says, but the risk does climb during recruit training. Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026 Her cause of death was reportedly cardiac arrest, with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and status asthmaticus, or severe asthma, listed as contributing conditions. Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 At the time of her death, TMZ, citing family sources, reported that Knowings was placed on life support after suffering an asthma attack that resulted in cardiac arrest on August 7. Denise Petski, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cardiac arrest

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cardiac arrest was in 1873

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Cite this Entry

“Cardiac arrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cardiac%20arrest. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Medical Definition

cardiac arrest

noun
: abrupt temporary or permanent cessation of the heartbeat (as from ventricular fibrillation or asystole)

called also sudden cardiac arrest

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