What is defined as a condition where the heart stops pumping?

Cardiac arrest is defined as a condition in which the heart stops pumping effectively, leading to a significant decrease in blood flow to vital organs. During cardiac arrest, the heart may cease to beat altogether, or it may beat in an ineffective manner. This is a critical medical emergency that requires immediate intervention, such as CPR and defibrillation, to restore normal heart function and blood circulation. Understanding this condition is crucial for lifeguards and responders, as recognizing the signs and knowing how to react can save lives.

In contrast, a heart attack, while serious and related to heart function, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, typically due to a clot, which can cause damage to the heart muscle but does not necessarily stop the heart from pumping instantly. A stroke is related to blood flow to the brain and involves different mechanisms, and arrhythmia refers to irregular heartbeats which may not lead to cessation of pumping. Thus, cardiac arrest specifically denotes the critical stopping of the heart's pumping action.