My moms friend had a heart attack can he still be breathing on his own if there is no brain activity?!

Question: My moms friend had a heart attack can he still be breathing on his own if there is no brain activity.?

My moms friend had a heart attack. Due to the friends family not liking my mom she is unable to go up to the hospital to see her friend. She has been hearing from another friend news about her friend. She was told that Her friend is still breathing on his own but that there is no brain activity. I am wondering if that is possible. I would think that a person would have to have brain activity in order to still be breathing on his own (He is not hooked up to any machines they unplugged them all last night- and he has been breathing on his own all night and all day today)Health Question & Answer

Answers:

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom's friend.

I think what is meant by "no brain activity" is that there is no activity seen on the EEG (electroencephalogram). The EEG only looks at the outermost part of the brain (the cortex). You are right in thinking that there must be some brain activity for breathing. However, this activity may only be in the deepest part of the brain called the brainstem and that won't be recordable on the EEG. If there is no EEG activity it sounds like it he had a very severe injury.Health Question & Answer

breathing requires brain activityHealth Question & Answer

Yes, she can still breathe. Breathing is done by the subconscious and does not require you to think.......Hope I helped!!Health Question & Answer

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My moms friend had a heart attack can he still be breathing on his own if there is no brain activity?!

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