Which of the following is a potential cause of cardiac arrest related to the patient's health history?

Electrolyte imbalance is considered a potential cause of cardiac arrest related to a patient's health history because it can significantly affect the heart's electrical system and lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. Electrolytes, such as potassium, calcium, and sodium, are essential for maintaining normal heart function. An imbalance, whether it be elevated or decreased levels of these electrolytes, can disrupt the heart's rhythm and potentially result in cardiac arrest.

While severe dehydration also plays a role in cardiac health by affecting blood volume and pressure, the specific mechanisms through which electrolyte imbalances affect cardiac rhythm make them particularly critical and directly linked to arrhythmias. An acute heaviness in the chest is symptomatic of potential cardiac issues but does not serve as a direct cause in the same context as an established health condition. Similarly, a family history of heart disease is important for assessing risk but does not represent an immediate health issue that could directly induce cardiac arrest. Thus, electrolyte imbalance stands out as a direct, physiological factor that can lead to such a critical event.