Final answer:
Cardiac arrest can occur either as atrial fibrillation or ventricular fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is serious but not immediately life-threatening if the ventricles still pump blood, whereas ventricular fibrillation is a medical emergency requiring rapid treatment, typically defibrillation, to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are two types of cardiac arrest: atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a serious condition where the atria of the heart beat in an irregular and often rapid manner, which can lead to blood clots, stroke, and other heart-related complications. However, as long as the ventricles, the main pumping chambers of the heart, continue to pump blood, immediate danger to life is usually not presented.
On the other hand, ventricular fibrillation is a medical emergency where the ventricles quiver ineffectively instead of pumping, resulting in the heart being unable to pump blood to the body. This can lead to brain death within minutes if not treated. The primary treatment for ventricular fibrillation is defibrillation, which requires an electrical shock to be delivered to the heart to restore a normal heart rhythm. This process acts as a 'reset' for the heart's electrical system.
In both types, the use of automated external defibrillators (AED) can be life-saving. An AED can be used by nonmedical personnel to provide an electrical charge to the heart in an effort to restore normal rhythm.