Difference Between Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack
Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack: Key Differences & Warning Signs
Sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack are two different conditions. A sudden cardiac arrest happens due to a sudden stop of the cardiac rhythm. Whereas, a myocardial infarction or heart attack occurs when there is a blockage in the blood flow to its ventricles (lower chambers). Both conditions are severe and require immediate medical attention.
What is the Main Difference Between a Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest?
In this table, we will discuss some major differences between a heart attack and cardiac arrest.
| Aspects | Heart Attack | Sudden Cardiac Arrest |
| Causes | Plaque formation in the inner linings of the cardiac arteries prevents blood from flowing to the heart muscles. | Malfunctioning of the electrical signals to the heart. It results in improper beating and stops blood flow to vital organs. |
| Symptoms | Shortness of breath is the most common symptom. Additionally, symptoms, like chest discomfort, nausea, and tightness, can be seen. | No major sign, rather, the first sign of the problem is that the individual becomes unconscious and passes out. |
| Mechanism | Continuous beating of the heart is seen, but muscle fatigue occurs due to a lack of oxygen. | The electrical malfunction causes the irregular rhythm (like ventricular fibrillation), which immediately stops effective blood pumping. |
| Time Frame | Symptoms progress very slowly, maybe over hours or even days. | It takes only a few seconds to start the symptoms; within a few seconds, the patient will become unconscious. And death will occur after a short duration if no proper treatment is given. |
| Things to Do | Firstly, call an ambulance and get ready to do CPR if the patient becomes unconscious and stops breathing. | Call the ambulance from the local emergency clinics and perform CPR. If possible, use a defibrillator on the patient till the professionals arrive. |
What is the Link Between Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack?
These two severe heart conditions are linked to each other. It is common for a sudden cardiac arrest to occur after a heart attack. Particularly, heart attacks increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Sometimes, heart attacks do not lead to sudden cardiac arrest, but in the case of sudden cardiac arrest, a heart attack is common.
Other congenital heart diseases can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, including:
- Heart failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmias
- Infections
- Ventricular Fibrillation
What are the Warning Signs of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack?
Both a heart attack and a sudden cardiac arrest have some common symptoms, but they are not similar. These are the possible warning signs of a cardiac arrest:
- Shortness of breath
- Extreme tiredness
- Angina or chest pain
- Frequent dizziness and fainting
- Heart palpitations
If you experience any of these symptoms, they can be a concern, requiring immediate medical attention. Other than these, try to monitor your overall cardiovascular health and do regular exercise to prevent heart attacks or other cardiac problems.
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