On January 2^nd, sports and non-sports fans around the world were shaken and concerned when 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest after a first quarter collision with a Cincinnati Bengal player. Thankfully, Mr. Hamlin has since been released from the hospital after extensive medical evaluation and testing. He will likely continue his recovery and undergo rehabilitation at home and with the Buffalo Bills medical staff. Many may wonder how a seemingly young, healthy, athletic adult like Mr. Hamlin with no known health issues experienced sudden cardiac arrest and how that differs from a heart attack. While many people may use the terms interchangeably, what exactly is cardiac arrest and how does it differ from a heart attack; and what happens during cardiac rehabilitation?

Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Heart Association, heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when blood flow is interrupted to a part of the heart muscle, so the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. This can be caused by a blood clot or blocked artery. Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, is an electrical issue. Cardiac arrest occurs when the pumping action of the heart is disrupted or stops completely. As a result of this electrical malfunction, the heart cannot pump oxygenated blood to the brain and other vital organs. When an individual experiences cardiac arrest they may fall/pass out, lose consciousness, and have no pulse as was the case for Mr. Hamlin.

Rehabilitation After Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to improve cardiovascular health of individuals who have experienced a cardiac event, heart surgery, or other condition that may have impacted cardiac function. Cardiac rehabilitation programs aim to restore and improve function, limit disability, minimize cardiac risk factors; and to optimize the physical, psychological, and social function of individuals so they may resume their normal daily activities without significant cardiac symptoms or issues. These programs are often customized to the  patient and involve physical therapy (i.e., exercise), education on dietary/lifestyle changes (i.e., quitting smoking), and emotional support/counseling to identify and provide tools for dealing with everyday sources of stress.

Finding a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

The Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute offers an online resource, Cardiac Rehabilitation: Choosing a Program, which provides an extensive overview of cardiac rehabilitation, its benefits, who may benefit from this type of rehabilitation, and considerations for individuals or loved ones when choosing the right rehabilitation program. Additionally, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) offers online patient resources on cardiac rehabilitation, including a cardiac rehabilitation factsheet and an searchable online program directory of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation professionals across the United States – listings include the facility/program name, address, contact information, program type, and certification expiration date.

#AmericanHeartAssociation, #HeartHealth, #CardiacArrest, #CardiacRehabiliation, #DamarHamlin

References/Resources:

American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)
https://now.aapmr.org/cardiac-rehabilitation
https://www.aacvpr.org/Cardiac-Patient-Resources

American Heart Association
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/about-cardiac-arrest

Borras, I. and Cruz, M. (2021). Cardiac Rehabilitation, PM&R Knowledge Now, Clinical Topics (online).
https://now.aapmr.org/cardiac-rehabilitation.

CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/cardiac_rehabilitation.htm

Choosing a High-Quality Medical Rehabilitation Program: An NRH Field Guide for People with Disabilities
https://search.naric.com/public/choosingquality.pdf

Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16868-cardiac-rehabilitation-choosing-a-program
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22069-cardiac-rehab

Survey, J.T., and Stephens, M. (2016). Cardiac Rehabilitation: Improving Function and Reducing Risk, American Family Physician, 94(1), 37-43.
https://www.aafp.org/dam/brand/aafp/pubs/afp/issues/2016/0701/p37.pdf.