A patient who was struck by lightning may present with which condition?

A patient who has been struck by lightning can experience a variety of serious effects due to the high-voltage electrical current. One of the most notable potential conditions resulting from such an event is an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. Lightning strikes can cause significant disruption to the heart's electrical system, leading to a variety of rhythm disturbances. This can range from minor irregularities to life-threatening conditions such as ventricular fibrillation, which may cause the heart to stop beating effectively and can lead to cardiac arrest.

While other conditions, such as internal bleeding, fractures, or heat exhaustion, may sometimes occur in conjunction with a lightning strike scenario—perhaps from the force of the strike or surrounding environmental factors—the direct and immediate danger posed by electrical injury primarily relates to the heart’s rhythm. This cardiovascular impact is critical to recognize, as it is a leading cause of mortality following a lightning strike, necessitating prompt assessment and intervention to restore an adequate heart rhythm and prevent complications.