My friend told me that she could never forget this when her father passed away: his heart stops beating, but he's still breathing. I'm just wondering if it's possible.
2006-06-15 14:54:06 · 9 answers · asked by super queen 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Yes. For example when performing CPR there's the Dr ABC steps. The breathing is checked before the circulation is. Once the breathing step has been fixed you move on to the circulation. If it wasn't possible to breathe without circulation you'd have to do it the other way around, i.e. fix the circulation before you can move onto the breathing.
2006-06-15 15:03:25 · answer #1 · answered by Paul C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need the heart to pump the oxygen, via the blood, throughout the body in order to stay alive.
"Breathing is only part of the process of delivering oxygen to where it is needed in the body. Breathing in, or inhaling, is usually an active movement, with the contraction of chest and diaphragm muscles needed. At rest, breathing out, or exhaling, is normally a passive process powered by the elastic recoil of the chest, similar to a deflating balloon. The process of gas exchange occurs in the alveoli by passive diffusion of gasses between the alveolar gas and the blood passing by in the lung capillaries. Once in the blood, the heart powers the flow dissolved gasses around the body in the circulation."
2006-06-15 15:02:16 · answer #2 · answered by zphtar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is possible but the breathing will not go on for long because when the diaphragm runs out of oxygen and then uses up all the glycogen stored in it, the breathing will stop. he may have had like 3 or 4 breaths after the heart stopped, not many.
2006-06-15 15:04:50 · answer #3 · answered by jbsoileau 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible. Technically speaking, the person is still alive until the brain stops funtioning.
2006-06-15 14:58:11 · answer #4 · answered by Halo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that is possible... Because your heart keeps you alive. I'm not sure though, I'm not in the medical profession.
2006-06-15 14:57:57 · answer #5 · answered by arenagymnast44 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Your diaphragm muscle will keep working until it runs out of oxygen.
2006-06-15 15:00:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is possible due to the autonomic system.
2006-06-15 15:02:07 · answer #7 · answered by Everand 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure it is but only for a short time
2006-06-15 14:57:41 · answer #8 · answered by kcracer1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah its called death breath.
2006-06-15 14:57:20 · answer #9 · answered by chuck s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋