Heart Attack Vs Cardiac Arrest - Major Differences|emedevents

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The difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest is arguably the most common area of confusion. A heart attack is a damage to a part of the heart muscle caused by inadequate blood flow to that area whereas a sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart develops a problem and stops beating all of a sudden. Sudden cardiac arrest is an "electrical" issue, whereas a heart attack is a "circulation" issue.

Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when an artery gets clogged, preventing oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart. If the blocked artery is not unlocked right away, the area of the heart that receives nutrition from it starts to deteriorate. The more time a person misses out on treatment, the greater the damage.

Symptoms of a heart attack
Chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness, or squeezing across your chest
Pain in other parts of the body – Feeling pain spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back, and tummy
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
Sweating
Shortness of breath
Feeling ...
... sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
An overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
Coughing or wheezing
Treating heart attack
A heart attack is an emergency. The sooner you can get treatment, will reduce the amount of damage to the heart muscle. So call 911 immediately.

A few cases of a heart attack require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or an electrical shock (defibrillation) to the heart to get the heart pumping again. So provide CPR and use an AED until first responders arrive.

Preventing a heart attack
5 critical steps you can take to reduce the risk of having a heart attack:

Quit smoking
Lose weight if you're overweight or obese
Do regular exercise
Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet, including wholegrains and at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
Moderate your alcohol consumption
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
The sudden cessation of all heart functions as a result of an abnormal heart rhythm is known as sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It is a condition where the heart suddenly stops beating. When that happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other important organs. The breaths cease. The person loses consciousness. The sudden cardiac arrest might result in mortality if it is not treated right away. However, prompt treatment with a defibrillator can prevent death.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Vs Heart Attack
An SCA is distinct from a heart attack. When the heart's blood supply is cut off, a heart attack occurs. The heart doesn't often cease beating suddenly after a heart attack. The heart stops beating when there is an SCA. Sudden cardiac arrest is more likely to occur after a heart attack.

A cardiac arrest is an electrical issue as opposed to a heart attack, which is a plumbing issue. When the heart's electrical system malfunctions, the heart may beat rapidly and erratically or stop beating entirely. This condition is known as cardiac arrest. The victim gasps or stops breathing and falls unconscious in a matter of seconds without blood reaching the brain, lungs, and other vital organs.

Symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest-
Sudden collapse
No pulse
No breathing
Loss of consciousness
Treating Cardiac Arrest
A cardiac arrest is an emergency, so always call 911. Provide CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) until first responders arrive.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one form of emergency treatment for cardiac arrest. Starting immediate CPR is vital as it keeps blood and oxygen moving to the brain and around the body.