CARDIAC ARREST AND HEART ATTACKS CAN BOTH BE FATAL. LEARN HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE.
People often use “heart attack” and “cardiac arrest” as if they mean the same thing, but they actually describe two different medical emergencies. Although both can be life-threatening and may share some symptoms, the underlying causes and how they affect the heart are quite different. Here’s a closer look at what sets them apart.
Key takeaways
Cardiac arrest and heart attacks have different causes: cardiac arrest results from an electrical problem that can trigger an abnormal heart rhythm, while a heart attack occurs when a blocked artery cuts off blood flow to part of the heart.
Both are serious medical emergencies. In the U.S., cardiac arrest affects hundreds of thousands of people each year, while a heart attack occurs about every 40 seconds.
Their symptoms can differ: cardiac arrest typically causes sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, and no pulse, while a heart attack may cause chest pain or pressure, nausea, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.
Treatment depends on the condition: cardiac arrest requires immediate CPR and defibrillation, while heart attack treatment may involve medications, procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery, and lifestyle
Causes
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest occurs when an electrical problem causes the heart to develop an abnormal rhythm. The resulting arrhythmia prevents the heart from pumping blood effectively to vital organs, including the brain. The person typically loses consciousness, and without immediate treatment, cardiac arrest can be fatal.
A heart attack can trigger cardiac arrest, but it is not the only possible cause. Other contributors include cardiomyopathy, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, ventricular fibrillation, and long QT syndrome.
Heart attack
A heart attack happens when a coronary artery becomes blocked, restricting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to part of the heart muscle. If circulation is not restored quickly, the affected heart tissue can begin to die. Prompt treatment can limit the amount of permanent heart damage.
Cardiac arrest vs. heart attack: the main difference
| Cardiac arrest | Heart attack |
|---|---|
| Caused by an electrical problem | Caused by a blocked artery |
| An abnormal rhythm interferes with the heart’s pumping action | Blood flow to part of the heart is restricted |
| The person can lose their pulse and consciousness | The heart usually continues beating |
How common are they?
Cardiac arrest
American Heart Association data indicate that sudden cardiac death accounts for a significant proportion of deaths. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest affects an estimated 356,461 people each year, which works out to nearly 1,000 cases every day. Pasted text
Heart attack
According to the CDC figures cited in the source, someone in the United States experiences a heart attack approximately every 40 seconds. That amounts to more than 800,000 cases annually, with a substantial proportion occurring in people experiencing their first heart attack
Symptoms
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest usually happens suddenly. Possible symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or no breathing
- No detectable pulse
- Loss of consciousness
- Sudden collapse
Because the heart has stopped pumping effectively, unconsciousness and the absence of normal breathing are particularly important warning signs.
Heart attack
Heart attack symptoms can vary considerably. Some people develop symptoms abruptly, while others may notice warning signs over several hours or even longer.
Possible symptoms include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Tightness or squeezing in the chest
- Pain that spreads into the arms, neck, jaw, or back
- Nausea or vomiting
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Abdominal discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweats
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Sudden dizziness
- A feeling that something is seriously wrong
Chest discomfort brought on by physical activity can sometimes be an early warning sign because reduced blood flow is limiting the heart’s oxygen supply. Pasted text
How are they diagnosed?
Cardiac arrest
Healthcare professionals may use several tests to determine what caused the cardiac arrest and assess the heart afterward. These can include:
- ECG/EKG: Records the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm.
- Chest X-ray or MRI: Provides images that can help evaluate the heart and surrounding structures.
- Blood tests: Can identify certain abnormalities and provide evidence of a recent heart attack or other heart problem.
- Coronary catheterization: Allows doctors to examine the coronary arteries and assess the heart’s structure and function.
Heart attack
Several of the same diagnostic tools are used when someone has a suspected heart attack. Doctors may use an ECG, blood tests measuring cardiac enzymes and troponins, coronary catheterization, and echocardiography.
These tests can help determine whether heart muscle has been damaged, how extensive the damage may be, and whether blocked arteries are affecting blood flow.
Treatment
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest requires immediate emergency treatment. The first priorities are generally CPR and defibrillation.
If someone appears to be in cardiac arrest:
- Call 911 immediately.
- If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, retrieve it and follow its instructions.
- Begin CPR and continue until professional help arrives or the person shows signs of recovery.
Chest compressions help keep blood circulating while efforts are made to restore a normal heart rhythm. Pasted text
After surviving cardiac arrest, additional treatment may be needed to lower the chance of another event. Depending on the underlying cause, this may include medications for blood pressure or cholesterol, surgery for heart damage, and lifestyle changes such as improving diet and increasing physical activity
Heart attack
Heart attack treatment focuses on restoring blood flow and preventing additional heart damage. Depending on the circumstances, treatment may include medications such as aspirin, thrombolytics, or antiplatelet drugs.
Doctors may also use procedures such as:
- Coronary angioplasty and stent placement to reopen a blocked artery
- Coronary artery bypass surgery to create another route for blood to reach the heart
Cardiac rehabilitation may follow treatment. These programmes can help patients adjust medications, improve lifestyle habits, receive emotional support, and reduce the risk of future cardiovascular complications.
Cardiac arrest
The likelihood of cardiac arrest can be higher in people with certain heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, abnormal heart rhythms, and cardiomyopathy. Factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity may also contribute to cardiovascular risk.
Heart attack
Heart attack risk can also be influenced by both medical and lifestyle factors. These include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Overweight or obesity
- Unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Alcohol or tobacco use
- Family history of heart disease
How can you help prevent them?
Preventing cardiac arrest
People at particularly high risk may need medications or preventive procedures based on their underlying heart condition.
For others, maintaining cardiovascular health can help lower risk. Important habits include:
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing stress
- Exercising regularly
- Limiting alcohol
- Avoiding or quitting smoking
Preventing heart attacks
Reducing heart attack risk involves many of the same healthy habits. Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet, managing stress, limiting alcohol, avoiding tobacco, and getting adequate sleep can all be part of a prevention strategy.
When to seek medical attention
Both cardiac arrest and heart attack can be life-threatening emergencies. If you or someone else develops symptoms that could indicate either condition, seek emergency medical help immediately rather than assuming the symptoms are indigestion, anxiety, or another less serious problem.
People who have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease should also speak with their healthcare provider about appropriate strategies for prevention and risk reduction.
Source: SingleaCare