If the person's death is expected and natural, you don't have to call a doctor right away. If they die during the night you can wait until the morning before calling a doctor. If there is no doctor available, call the police.
If death happens at home without hospice, try to talk with the doctor, local medical examiner (coroner), your local health department, or a funeral home representative in advance about how to proceed. You can also consider a home funeral, which is legal in most states.
If you witness someone die suddenly, you should immediately call a doctor or 999. When they arrive, the paramedics or doctor will either attempt resuscitation or confirm the death. If the cause of death is unknown, it is important you leave the surrounding area as it was (apart from any attempt at resuscitation).
Your heart stops beating. Your brain stops. Other vital organs, including your kidneys and liver, stop. All your body systems powered by these organs shut down, too, so that they're no longer capable of carrying on the ongoing processes understood as, simply, living.
They Know They're Dying
Dying is a natural process that the body has to work at. Just as a woman in labor knows a baby is coming, a dying person may instinctively know death is near. Even if your loved one doesn't discuss their death, they most likely know it is coming.
Coronary artery disease causes most cases (80%) of sudden cardiac death. In people who are younger, congenital (since birth) heart defects or genetic abnormalities in their heart's electrical system are often the cause. In people age 35 and older, the cause is more often related to coronary artery disease.
The initial shock and numbness might last from a few minutes to a few weeks. We may have needed to protect ourselves from the news and therefore temporarily shut down feelings, thoughts, and even physical sensations as we are learning about a loved one's death. There is a sense of disbelief and unreality.
The loss of meaning
Sudden bereavement often removes people from our lives who are significant, close and central to us, who were not expected to die now; such as a life partner, father, son, brother, mother, daughter or sister. People who are significant to our lives can provide us with immense security and purpose.
After the person dies, the doctor needs to certify the death. If the doctor is not available, an authorised nurse or paramedic can complete a 'Verification of Death' form which confirms that the person has died, and allows the doctor to complete the medical certificate at a later stage.
When you are searching for bank accounts of a relative who has died you will need to provide the death certificate or a copy of the will and probate.
Taking time to let go
After someone has died, family and friends may want to take time to reflect, say a few words, touch the person's body, or say some final good-byes. It is important to try to provide the time and space for everyone according to their needs. Some people may want to touch the body and others may not.
Many conclude that unexpected death is easier on the person who dies, but harder on the survivors. Expected death gives time to prepare and say goodbyes, is predictable, makes sense, offers chance to wrap up unfinished businesses, provides an opportunity to honor wishes, stretches out grief, etc.
Sudden death may be violent, accidental, self inflicted, due to natural causes or unexpected. The suddenness with which death occurs may vary. The death may be unexpected by the victim's friends but anticipated by the person, family or physician.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is death due to a cardiovascular cause that occurs within one hour of the onset of symptoms. A sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating or is not beating sufficiently to maintain perfusion and life.
People might feel or act differently to usual when they are grieving. They might have difficulty concentrating, withdraw and not enjoy their usual activities. They may drink, smoke or use drugs. They may also have thoughts of hurting themselves or that they can't go on.
Distributive shock is the most common type of shock, followed by hypovolemic and cardiogenic shock. Obstructive shock is relatively less common. The most common type of distributive shock is septic shock and has a mortality rate between 40 to 50%.
In time, the heart stops and they stop breathing. Within a few minutes, their brain stops functioning entirely and their skin starts to cool. At this point, they have died.
Their study made the surprising discovery that about half of patients who have a sudden cardiac arrest first experience symptoms like intermittent chest pain and pressure, shortness of breath, palpitations, or ongoing flu-like symptoms such as nausea and abdominal and back pain.
The five common causes of sudden death will be tacked in this article including fatal arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), massive stroke, pulmonary embolism, and aortic catastrophe.