is it true that we really die when our heart stops beating?

Answer 1

Yep. That would be a major part of how we function.

Answer 2

Physically--yes it is true we are pronounced 'DEAD' once our hearts stop after a certain period of time AND our brains stop rec'vg oxygen. The old thought was minutes 4 to 5. This is the clinical definition of death, when our hearts stop and oxygen has stopped reaching the brain.

I have included 2 VERY INTERESTING ARTICLES that will make you think differently about our medical approach and when a person is actually dead, how long our heart cells live and a very different approach on reviving someone from death.

Spiritually, some people believe you continue to live on--especially if you believe in a continued life outside of your body---reincarnation

As the other gentleman stated earlier--people's hearts have stopped and then moments later they are revived--what does this mean---intervention to death? It wasn't their time to go?--was their 'will to live' strong enough to come back from the dead?--Wow, your question goes deep.

This is a VERY INTERESTING question---good one!

Hope you enjoy the articles---Sincerely, Tina

Answer 3

No. Actually it takes a several minutes before death truly occurs. When the heart stops beating, it no longer is circulating oxygen to the tissues. After several minutes of being oxygen deprived the tissues will start to essentailly decompose. This is why CPR is able to bring people back without brain damage if started soon enough because death does not occur the moment your heart stops beating. CPR circulates oxygenated blood to the tissues keeping them perfused, and usually drugs and/or defibrillation is used to get a rhythm back with the heart.

Good question!

Answer 4

arjun,

Well, I didn't...I think.

It takes a few minutes for the stopped heartbeat to cause enough damage to the brain that the person really dies.

You see, for some years I thought that I was prone to "vasovagal events," where the vagus nerve (a big one that goes from the brain past the heart to the stomach) is stimulated (we don't always know why it is) and the heart slows down. In my case it was slowing so much that I'd pass out.

It happened so often that I got used to it. I'd feel dizzy, I'd lie down and pass out. Out of curiosity I decided to take my pulse while I was losing consciousness.

It wasn't there. My heart stopped. Several times.

It's an odd feeling, not having a heartbeat. It's really quiet inside.

Well thirty seconds later I'd wake up and go about my business until the next time.

My doctor found out that my heart was actually stopping for 20-30 seconds, with the intervals getting longer, which meant, he said, "It doesn't have to restart."

So now I have a pacemaker. I'm too young for this, but it keeps me alive and awake and running.

So the answer to your question is, "No, as long as the pause in the heartbeat is short enough that the brain doesn't die." We generally believe this to be about 4 minutes.

Of course, my family suspects that mine did, but don't listen to them. They know me too well.

Answer 5

The answer is yes... you can. If your heart stops, then the paramedics or EMTs can use what they call a defibrillator. The famous device with the two shock paddles (CLEAR!!!). Anyways, this is used to send an electrical current strong enough to start the heart up again. But a long period of time without any heart beats, you are pretty much dead.

Answer 6

No you can have brain death and if your in hospital they then try and get you organs donated. So you can be pronounced dead but your body is still alive. Other than that people have had their heart stop and been bought back to life by CPR and shocking and they say that they have been dead. Other than that if you heart stops im not sure you have that much of a chance.

Answer 7

if your heart stops for a short time you do not die,my husband has an implanted defibrillator in order to shock his heart into starting again if it stops,this has happened already and it gave him 3 boosts at 1minute intervals and he was still awake and could feel each one,he suffers from cardio arrhithmia,his heart rate is 215 beats per min.but he is not aware of it,he also has dilated cardio myopathy and heart failure,he was only 48 when diagnosed and his heart had stopped twice.hope this answers your question.

Answer 8

We don't die no. Atleast not straight away, it takes a little while (like a couple of minutes) for the brain to die from the lack of oxygen. When your brain ceases to function then you are truly dead.

So if your heart stops beating, you're still alive and there is a chance to get it beating again and thusly preventing brain death.
But it's on a tight time schedule.

Answer 9

No, absolutely not. There is a difference between "clinical death" or that which happens when you stop breathing or your heart stops beating because there are circumstances in which that can be reversed, and "biological death" which cannot be reversed. There isn't too much time between the two, but there can be enough to do something about the situation. Ever heard of CPR? CPR is what you do when someone can't breathe for themselves and their heart isn't beating.

Answer 10

We die when our brain shuts down. Without assistance, this will happen about four minutes after our heart stops beating.

But the heart can stop and be restarted, and the heart can keep beating after the brain is gone and all that remains is a shell of ourselves. In fact, the heart will beat outside of the body if properly nourished. So the fact that the heart stops is not indicative, although it is suggestive.

It's when the heart STAYS STOPPED that you have a problem.

Answer 11

Basically yes, Because when the heart doesn't give the brain blood, the brain receives almost no oxygentation causing it to also shut down. So basically when heart stops we die.

How old are you!? You're still so young to use the computer without knowing this you know!?