Which condition is the leading cause of cardiac arrest in adults?

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of cardiac arrest in adults because it directly contributes to the development of conditions that can lead to a sudden heart rhythm disturbance or a heart attack. When coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup, the heart muscle does not receive adequate oxygen-rich blood, which can result in ischemia. This lack of blood flow can lead to arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation, that are often responsible for cardiac arrest.

While congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and cardiac arrhythmias can contribute to complications within cardiac health, they do not have the same direct link to the primary pathology that leads to arrest as coronary artery disease. For instance, congestive heart failure often results from underlying coronary artery disease rather than being an independent cause. Therefore, recognizing coronary artery disease as the primary culprit in cardiac events is essential for understanding and addressing cardiac arrest in adult populations.