Cardiac arrest during a Pilates session: heart restarted after resuscitation

Cardiac arrest can occur anywhere — even during physical activity that is considered safe and healthy. The incident that occurred this morning (Thursday) at a gym in Hadera illustrates how a few minutes can determine the difference between life and death, and how critical rapid identification, the initiation of resuscitation efforts, and the availability of a defibrillator on-site are. The woman, aged about 50, collapsed during a Pilates session at a gym on Mordechai Carlitz Street after suffering a cardiac arrest.

MDA and United Hatzalah teams summoned to the scene found her without a pulse and not breathing, and immediately began advanced resuscitation efforts that included chest compressions, artificial respiration, and medication. After prolonged efforts, the teams succeeded in restoring her heart activity, and she was evacuated in serious condition to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. The circumstances of the incident are still unknown and will be examined as part of the medical investigation.

Experts emphasize that in the case of cardiac arrest, every minute without resuscitation and without an electric shock via a defibrillator significantly reduces the chances of survival. Therefore, rapid identification of the situation, calling emergency teams, starting chest compressions, and using a defibrillator are the key factors that can save lives.

According to experts, warning symptoms sometimes appear before cardiac arrest, such as pain or pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, abnormal heart palpitations, or extreme weakness — especially during or shortly after exertion. The appearance of any of these symptoms requires stopping the activity and seeking immediate medical examination.