What is a sudden stoppage of the heart known as?

A sudden stoppage of the heart is known as cardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively, preventing blood from being pumped to the rest of the body. This can result in a loss of consciousness and is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or defibrillation.

Heart failure, on the other hand, refers to a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to maintain blood flow to meet the body's needs. It is not an acute stoppage but rather a gradual weakening of the heart’s pumping ability.

Cerebral hemorrhage is a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain, which is different from cardiac events. Respiratory distress involves difficulty in breathing and is also unrelated to the abrupt cessation of heart function. Thus, cardiac arrest is the specific term that accurately describes the sudden failure of the heart to beat properly.