Both cardiac arrest and a heart attack are potentially fatal medical conditions. A life can be saved by identifying the signs of each and understanding what to do. Would you be more concerned or relieved if a doctor informed you that your loved one had just had a heart attack instead of a cardiac arrest? Are you aware of the distinction between the two terms?
Although everyone finds these two conditions puzzling there are some significant distinctions between these two cardiac episodes. Issues with the body's circulatory system that obstruct blood flow to the heart are the cause of a heart attack. The most common cause of heart attacks is coronary artery disease. Your age, other medical issues, and lifestyle choices like food and exercise can all raise your risk. An electrical malfunction in the heart is known as a cardiac arrest. Usually, arrhythmias that disrupt the heart's electrical system and rhythm are the reason. When the heart stops beating, a cardiac arrest happens.
Let’s learn about the distinction between sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack thoroughly and accurately in the following article.
Difference Between Sudden Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
A myocardial infarction, often known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply to the heart is interrupted or obstructed. One of the body's most vital organs may suffer harm and the heart muscle may start to die if there is insufficient oxygen-rich blood reaching the heart. In contrast, sudden cardiac death is the term used to describe a cardiac arrest. The definition of "arrest" is to halt or bring to a stop. Cardiac arrest is a very dangerous medical condition in which the heart stops beating. Cardiac arrest can result in disabilities or death almost instantly.How the Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest And Heart Attack Differ?
| Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest | Symptoms of Sudden Heart Attack |
| Symptoms may worsen over time (but not always) | Symptoms can increase over time (but not always) |
| Chest pain (angina) is the most common symptom. It can also manifest as heaviness, or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest | Dizziness |
| Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, shoulders, back, neck, jaw, or body region above the belly button | Shortness of breath |
| Shortness of breath while resting or doing even small physical activity (more common in older adults) | Fatigue or weakness |
| Unexplained heavy sweating | Nausea and vomiting |
| Unusual tiredness, sometimes for days (more common in women) | Heart palpitations or chest pain |
| Nausea and vomiting | Lost pulse |
| Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness | Not breathing or difficulty breathing |
| Rapid or irregular heart rate | Loss of consciousness |
How the Causes of Sudden Cardiac Arrest And Heart Attack Differ?
Heart attacks and cardiac arrests have quite diverse causes and risk factors. Many heart attack patients are aware that they are at risk. On the other hand, cardiac arrests often happen very suddenly without any warning sign of heart condition.Causes of Heart Attacks:
Coronary heart disease, which deprives your heart of oxygen, is typically the cause of heart attacks. Most of the time, patients who are receiving treatment for heart disease are aware that they are at risk of having a heart attack. Risk factors for a heart attack are:- Unhealthy dietary habits
- Poor physical activity
- Smoking
- High cholesterol levels
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar (or diabetes)
- Excessive body weight
Causes of cardiac arrests:
Coronary heart disease is one of the heart disorders and health factors that might raise your risk of cardiac arrest. You might also be at danger due to other unreported factors like:- Heart enlargement
- Abnormality in the shape of heart valves
- Congenital (hereditary) disease
- Impaired electrical impulse conduction in the heart
- Smoking
- Positive family history of heart disease
- History of heart attack
- Substance abuse
How is a Heart Attack And Cardiac Arrest Diagnosed?
- Diagnosing heart attack: After a physical examination, doctors advise an ECG to measure the electrical activity of your heart in order to detect a heart attack. To assess the health and strength of your heart, a doctor might recommend a cardiac catheterisation or an echocardiography. A blood sample is frequently obtained to look for indications of heart muscle injury.
- Diagnosing cardiac arrest: Your heart has stopped if you have a cardiac arrest. It is lethal if resuscitation is not performed right away. A doctor will conduct diagnostic tests to identify the reason for your cardiac arrest if they are effective in restarting your heart and restoring blood flow. To check for other indications of cardiac illness, these procedures could involve a chest X-ray, blood tests, and an echocardiography.
How the Treatment Options for a Heart Attack And Cardiac Arrest Differ?
Treatment Options for Heart Attack:
Additionally, doctors often recommend medications like nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, and painkillers to aid in the recovery process or to help prevent another heart attack. Depending on the severity of the condition, a doctor may suggest a variety of procedures to reduce pain, stop another heart attack, or both after a heart attack. Following are these procedures or therapies:- Stent placement
- Angioplasty
- Heart bypass surgery
- Heart valve surgery
- Pacemaker insertion
- A heart transplant (in certain conditions)
Treatment Options for Cardiac Arrest:
Almost often, CPR or the use of a defibrillator to restart the heart is the first step in treating cardiac arrest. After a person has survived a cardiac arrest, a doctor will probably begin one or more therapies to help reduce the probability that it will occur again. Often, these treatments include:- Medications
- Surgery
- Lifestyle modifications as suggested by your doctor
Conclusion
The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that both heart attacks and cardiac arrests are dangerous, potentially fatal situations, even if it might be simple to overlook the distinctions between them. If you think you or someone you know is suffering from either illness, get medical care right once. Your symptoms can be promptly evaluated and treated. The speed at which you can reach for medical care will determine your prognosis and rate of recovery.Know the right facts regarding sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack from expert cardiologists at the Asian Heart Institute. Book your consultation now!
FAQs
Q1: What should I do if someone has a heart attack?A: Call emergency services immediately. If the person is conscious, help them stay calm and chew aspirin if recommended by a doctor.
Q2: Does a heart attack always lead to sudden cardiac arrest?
A: No, a heart attack does not always lead to sudden cardiac arrest, but it increases the risk, especially if it causes a dangerous heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia).
Q3: How can I reduce my risk of both conditions?
A: Maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet, stress management, and routine medical checkups.
