How long after being deprived of oxygen do cells start to die?

Cells begin to suffer irreversible damage after being deprived of oxygen for approximately 3 to 5 minutes. This timeframe is crucial as it is during these minutes that the cellular processes requiring oxygen, such as ATP production through aerobic respiration, begin to fail. Without oxygen, cells can no longer produce the energy necessary for survival, leading to the initiation of metabolic failure.

Furthermore, the brain is particularly vulnerable; it relies heavily on a constant supply of oxygen. After around 3 minutes, neurocognitive functions can start to decline, and by the end of 5 minutes, significant brain damage may occur. Thus, recognizing the critical window of 3 to 5 minutes helps understand the importance of timely intervention in emergencies where oxygen supply is compromised.