Cardiac arrest – a reminder to us all.

Christian Eriksen’s sudden collapse is a “stark reminder that a cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere and anytime, without warning,” according to British Heart Foundation’s Associate Medical Director. 

Danish footballer Christian Eriksen, 29, collapsed on the field during a Euro 2020 match between Denmark and Finland in Copenhagen on earlier this month.

It has since been confirmed that the Inter Milan man suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the pitch, before being transferred to hospital.

Eriksen remains in hospital and is said to be in a stable condition. In a statement, he said: “I’m fine – under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel OK.”

Immediate CPR and defibrillation is vital 

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, British Heart Foundation’s Associate Medical Director and Consultant Cardiologist, said: “This shocking event is a stark reminder that a cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere and anytime, without warning.

“If someone suffers a cardiac arrest, it’s vital they receive immediate CPR and defibrillation to give them the best chance of survival. Thankfully it seems that this was the response that Christian received.

“Every second counts when someone suffers a cardiac arrest – the more of us that know how to perform CPR, the more lives that can be saved.