As a medical professional with expertise in emergency medicine, I can provide you with an informed answer to your question about the duration of survival without a heartbeat.
The human body can typically survive for a short period without a heartbeat. Brain cells begin to die after about 4 to 6 minutes without oxygen, which is why the "golden hour" in emergency medicine is so crucial. However, survival without a heartbeat for longer periods has been reported in cases where the body has been subjected to extreme cold, which can slow down the metabolic rate and extend the time without oxygen.
In medical settings, patients who experience cardiac arrest may be resuscitated using CPR and defibrillation. These interventions can restore a heartbeat and blood circulation, which can prevent brain death and allow for survival. The chances of survival decrease significantly with each passing minute without intervention.
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