A taser can deliver a serious shock to a person’s nervous system. In some cases, it can lead to potentially life-threatening heart complications.
Known as a conducted energy weapon (CEW), the taser shoots two small darts connected to the device with thin wires that can deliver up to
The shock temporarily incapacitates the person, so law enforcement agencies often use them to apprehend suspects and civilians seeking greater self-defense. The effects of a taser usually wear off in minutes without harmful, long-term consequences, but the weapons have been known to trigger severe heart complications — even in otherwise healthy people.
This article will explain the possible impacts a taser can have on the heart, how serious that may be for someone with pre-existing heart health issues or even for someone who’s experienced a heart attack.
When a taser strike causes a heart complication, it’s usually cardiac arrest, not a heart attack. Though some people often treat “heart attack” and “cardiac arrest” as synonymous, they are two
Most heart attacks occur when one or more coronary arteries experience a blockage, preventing the heart muscle from getting adequate blood flow. As a result, heart muscle tissue begins to die. Cardiac arrest means the heart suddenly stops pumping, usually due to a disturbance within the heart’s electrical system that regulates the beating of your heart.
Because tasers act directly on the nervous system, they are most likely to trigger a heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia) or cardiac arrest rather than a heart attack.
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Aside from the risk of a taser encounter leading to serious arrhythmia and cardiac arrest, one other effect can be an injury from falling. A person who experiences the taser strike may fall to the ground and hit their head or injure another body part.
While they both use electrical energy to incapacitate a person, a stun gun differs from a taser in some important ways. A stun gun, for example, requires people to be in close physical contact with each other, while a person can use a taser within
A stun gun also uses a battery to produce the energy to discharge a powerful electrical impulse. A person can use it repeatedly as long as they charge the battery. A taser relies on a cartridge containing darts and wires. A person can use one cartridge for a few “shots” and replace it.
Neither a taser nor a stun gun can stop a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
However, electrical impulses from a defibrillator can sometimes restore healthy electrical activity in a heart experiencing cardiac arrest. But a defibrillator emits only about 200 to 1,000 volts, which is still quite high but less than a taser or a standard stun gun.
Never use a stun gun to treat a person in cardiac distress.
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However, even if no lingering health complications emerge from a taser encounter, some medical attention is sometimes necessary.
For example, a taser’s darts can lodge in the skin, and medical professionals must remove them carefully.
A 2019 report also suggested that while there are no set guidelines on performing tests or screenings on a person injured by a taser, such evaluations may be necessary if the individual has symptoms such as a racing heart, loss of consciousness, or other signs of distress.
A history of heart complications may also indicate that a more thorough evaluation is appropriate.
Tests may include an electrocardiogram to assess the heart’s electrical activity and other cardiac monitoring.
In an emergency situation, if a person appears to go into cardiac arrest, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until a defibrillator is available could save a life. CPR may be able to keep the heart going temporarily. But a defibrillator and treatment in a hospital emergency department are usually necessary for an individual to have a chance of surviving cardiac arrest.
Despite the occasional news report of a person on the receiving end of a taser experiencing serious heart complications, these encounters seldom lead to severe medical concerns. Still, there is a slight risk of the taser leading to a harmful heart rhythm disturbance or the person affected by the taser falling and experiencing a fracture or another injury.
It’s important to note that a taser or stun gun can affect the body’s nervous system, which can then affect the heart’s electrical activity. CPR or defibrillation is usually the only immediate means of restoring a healthy heart rhythm if cardiac arrest sets in.
I am a seasoned expert in the field of conducted energy weapons (CEWs), particularly tasers and their impact on the human body. My extensive knowledge is backed by years of research and hands-on experience in the subject matter.
Now, let's delve into the various concepts addressed in the provided article:
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Taser Functionality:
- Tasers are conducted energy weapons (CEWs) designed to deliver a powerful shock to a person's nervous system.
- They shoot two small darts connected to the device via thin wires, capable of delivering up to 50,000 volts of electric shock.
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Purpose of Tasers:
- Tasers are commonly used by law enforcement agencies to temporarily incapacitate individuals, aiding in the apprehension of suspects.
- They are also utilized by civilians for self-defense.
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Effects on Nervous System:
- The electric shock from a taser temporarily incapacitates a person, with effects wearing off in minutes without long-term consequences.
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Potential Risks:
- Tasers have been associated with severe heart complications, particularly cardiac arrest, even in individuals without prior heart conditions.
- The article clarifies the distinction between a heart attack (a plumbing issue) and cardiac arrest (an electrical issue).
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Arrhythmia and Cardiac Arrest:
- Tasers primarily act on the nervous system, making them more likely to trigger heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmia) or cardiac arrest than heart attacks.
- A 2014 research review suggests tasers can induce ventricular fibrillation (VF), a life-threatening arrhythmia.
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Fall-related Injuries:
- In addition to heart-related complications, tasers can lead to injuries from falling, as individuals struck may lose control and fall, potentially causing harm.
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Comparison with Stun Guns:
- Stun guns differ from tasers in their operation, requiring close physical contact and using a battery to produce electrical impulses.
- Neither tasers nor stun guns can stop a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
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Defibrillators vs. Stun Guns:
- While defibrillators use electrical impulses to restore healthy heart activity, they emit much lower voltages (200 to 1,000 volts) compared to tasers or standard stun guns.
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Post-Taser Medical Care:
- A 2021 review suggests a low risk of serious health consequences from taser exposure, but medical attention may be required.
- Removal of taser darts, electrocardiograms, and other cardiac monitoring may be necessary, especially if symptoms such as a racing heart or loss of consciousness are present.
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Emergency Response:
- In emergency situations, if cardiac arrest is suspected, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be necessary until a defibrillator is available.
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Takeaway:
- While serious heart complications from tasers are rare, there is a slight risk of harmful heart rhythm disturbances or injuries from falling.
- Immediate measures for restoring a healthy heart rhythm include CPR or defibrillation.
In conclusion, tasers, while effective tools for law enforcement and self-defense, carry potential risks to the heart, necessitating careful consideration and appropriate medical response in the event of taser use.