What Michael Jackson’s Death Means for You

[Paradise, Founder/Executive Dir]

While Jackson’s death is tragic, much can be learned about cardiac arrest and what you can do to prepare yourself for a heart emergency.
By Seth Czarnecki

Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board

It came as a sudden, heartbreaking surprise that enveloped the entertainment world. Michael Jackson, known fondly as the undisputed King of Pop, died at his California home at the age of 50. Jackson began his fame in the family outfit The Jackson 5 with such hits as "I Want You Back" and "ABC". His fame continued as he branched off on his own selling over 100 million records worldwide. His album Thriller is the best selling record in music history.

While there is still much speculation over the circumstances of his death, the Los Angeles County Coroner's office declared it as a result of a cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is an extremely deadly and enormously misunderstood heart condition. Often the terms "heart attack" and "cardiac arrest" are mistakenly used interchangeably; however, there are important differences between the two occurrences.

The Difference between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest

A heart attack occurs when a blockage-such as clogged arteries-causes low blood flow to the heart. This then starves the heart muscle of oxygen resulting in permanent damage or death. Generally, heart attacks are the result of various long term factors-genetic predisposition, poor diet, inactivity, smoking, diabetes, et cetera.

Heart attacks normally start slowly with mild pain and discomfort. During a heart attack, an individual will experience shortness of breath, chest pain, and pain in the shoulder, arm, or neck area. Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack. About 460,000 of the attacks are fatal.

On the other hand, a person suffering a cardiac arrest is facing an episode that is much different and much more deadly. A cardiac arrest is an abrupt and sudden loss of the heart's function. In essence, the heart completely stops beating. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), unless the victim is treated with a defibrillator-a device that uses an electric shock to restore a normal heart beat-death occurs within 4 to 6 minutes. In 95 percent of cardiac arrest cases, the victim dies before reaching the hospital.

Be Prepared for a Cardiac Arrest

According to the AHA, there are steps you can take to be better prepare yourself for a cardiac emergency:

* Know the signs. During a cardiac arrest, the victim will experience a sudden loss of consciousness and normal breathing patterns stop.
* Call 9-1-1. Contact emergency services as soon as you suspect someone is showing the warning signs of a cardiac arrest.
* CPR. Administer CPR in order to keep the victim alive until emergency services arrive. CPR keeps oxygen and blood flowing to the brain.

While more information becomes public surrounding Jackson's death, one thing will remain true-when facing cardiac arrest one needs to be prepared and act quickly.

For more on heart attacks, cardiac arrest, and everything heart related, see our Heart Health Center.

Updated: June 26, 2009; Copyright © 2009 QualityHealth.com. All rights reserved.

NBWEN asks - What are you doing to become Heart Healthy? What are you doing to prepare yourself in case of an emergency for yourself or a loved one?

[Christine Lakatos -- MY DIVA DIET]

Thanks for the "heart healthy info". It is really a tragic situation, Michael Jackson was the best and will be missed by all!

[Paradise, Founder/Executive Dir]

You're welcome. I cried ALL weekend!! My hubby thinks I'm nuts! :-)

[Sharon Johnson-Smith]

Thanks for educating us about cardiac arrest. I am very saddened by Michael Jackson's untimely death. I keep recalling when I first heard the news on Thursday. I keep thinking - oh, if only it would have been a black out due to assertion... oh, if only the doctor would have been more prepared... oh, if only... It's like losing my younger brother, really, esp., since I've been a fan of his since even before Motown (during their local gigs in Chicago area). My prayer goes out to his children, huis mother and the rest of the Jackson Family. I came up this video of a commercial featuring Micheal Jackson - past and present. I never saw it before on TV. It's quite touching -- watch: ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5O61yKkdr4 )

[Paradise, Founder/Executive Dir]

Thanks so much for sharing! That was beautiful! I was taking a quick nap when my husband burst into the house with the news. I didn't believe him and was praying that what I was seeing when I turned on the news was a terrible mistake... but it wasn't. I felt like a little girl and I burst into tears. I think I cried so much, I could've filled a bathtub!! Michael Jackson was the only artist my mom really let me listen to and form a "relationship" with so I felt like a part of me was gone.

I was looking forward to finally getting to meet him. He was scheduled to come to Dallas and my husband was going to get us backstage passes! I can't imagine how hurt his family is but I pray for them daily and my deepest hope is that he passed this life into an eternity in Heaven because he accepted Christ into his heart.

[Ask Coach Shelby!]

Michael Jackson's death, for me, was one more incredible reminder of how much i appreciate my life, the people in my life and the people that will soon enter my life. His legacy is forever.

[Paradise, Founder/Executive Dir]

It's been almost 3 weeks and I'm still in shock. It is sad how some of the media is attempting to smear his name, overlooking all of the good he did in his lifetime. I love how God's word puts it - Take the log out of your own eye!