When Damar Hamlin’s heart ceased, countless individuals held their breath.
He was taken away in an ambulance as he prayed and wept, embracing coaches and players, while thousands of spectators in the packed stadium watched medical workers use an external automated defibrillator and perform CPR to restore his heartbeat. The 24-year-old football player for the Buffalo Bills had a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during Monday night’s game in Cincinnati.
As of Wednesday afternoon, he continued to be in critical condition at a Cincinnati medical facility.
During a call with reporters on Monday night, NFL executive Troy Vincent stated, “Clearly, we observed that the coaches, players, and those who watched the game were all deeply affected.” Vincent, a former cornerback and a seasoned player, expressed that it seemed as if they had never witnessed anything like it before.
However, cardiac arrest itself, and the distress it causes to bystanders, is not uncommon.
“The impact, as described by Dr. Kelly Sawyer, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, is not only immense but also extensive, regardless of whether a cardiac arrest occurs on a national broadcast or not. The American Heart Association reports that over 350,000 individuals in the United States encounter sudden cardiac arrest outside of medical facilities each year.”
Sawyer, who chaired the writing committee of a 2020 AHA scientific statement on the survival of cardiac arrest, expressed, “It does not solely occur to an individual.” “It affects their family, their acquaintances, lay rescuers who might simply be nearby,” she added. She stated that it impacts those who take initiative, those who do not, and those who are concerned that they might have done better.
According to Sawyer, the range of emotions, feelings, and outcomes can have a lasting impact on all individuals.
In a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Emergency Medicine and Trauma in 2021, it was discovered that 89 individuals who experienced psychological distress underwent cardiac arrest outside of the hospital and without any witnesses.
Katie Dainty, a researcher at North York General Hospital in Toronto, stated that there is no standard care system for people in terms of patient-centered outcomes.
Dainty, who chaired the writing committee for a 2022 AHA scientific statement on the encounters of regular individuals who observe or act in response to heart attacks, stated, “We often label them as the disregarded individual.”
They may be very confused about what happened, and they may fret over whether they did the right thing if they only saw it happen. My goodness, the rescuers and bystanders are still left thinking about what happened at the scene or what we should call them if the ambulance drives them away. The rescuers and bystanders are still left thinking about “what happened just what?” At the scene, or what we should call them if the ambulance drives them away. Dainty said that the person whose life is at stake is rightly focused on at the moment of crisis.
Nervousness can fuel a dearth of knowledge about the patient. “It must have been a rather distressing evening,” she expressed, for those who witnessed Hamlin’s collapse, anxiously awaiting to find out the details, which were only disclosed on early Tuesday.
Dainty mentioned that unless a witness who is a family member or bystanders were to tell what happened, the compounds of trauma would definitely never be known. However, in typical cardiac arrest situations, it can be even worse.
She expressed, “Certain social media communities that I am a part of with individuals who have survived and their loved ones have been incredibly, incredibly heartfelt.” The event that took place on Monday also had a distressing impact on individuals who have previously encountered or witnessed a heart attack.
Those who are closely involved in the situation might have feelings of guilt as they second-guess their actions. Sawyer, the witness who experienced the arrest, said that it varies depending on the situation.
Jennifer Sumner, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, has conducted extensive research on the effects of trauma and stress on heart health. Her research suggests that individuals may try to avoid thinking or talking about traumatic events, but these thoughts can persist and may remind them of the event or cause others to avoid the event.
They may also experience trouble concentrating, having nightmares, or feeling disinterested or disconnected when they enjoy using those things.
“These indications can actually be fairly typical shortly after undergoing a traumatic event,” Sumner stated.
Dainty mentioned, “A few individuals may exhibit physical symptoms, like migraines. Others might undergo feelings of melancholy.” “However, they can definitely empathize with him as an individual,” nobody was personally acquainted with the player.
Over time, even for individuals who encounter symptoms afterwards, they often resolve spontaneously. Sumner mentioned that the majority of individuals “demonstrate considerable resilience in terms of their psychological reaction to such encounters.”
People who experience long-term symptoms that interfere with daily life should consider seeking professional mental health help. “There is no one-size-fits-all response to trauma,” but staying connected with others and engaging in meaningful activities can be helpful.
Dainty mentioned that there are not many resources available specifically for individuals who witness cardiac arrest. However, she stressed that trying CPR should never discourage anyone from concerns about injury or other anxieties.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), you can perform CPR on an adult or teenager by pushing hard and fast in the center of their chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Rescuers can also guide operators through CPR by calling 911. Dainty mentioned that anyone, whether trained or untrained, cannot save a life without proper training.
Sawyer stated, “We must be aware of the consequences that occur in terms of cardiac arrest and the power of CPR in response.” “Our goal is to always strive to have more people who are prepared and trained to act.”