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.

Difference Between Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack

Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack: Key Differences & Warning Signs

What is the Main Difference Between a Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest?

What is the Link Between Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack?

What are the Warning Signs of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack?

Explore Relevant Symptoms and Conditions