What Is The Difference Between Heart Attack And Cardiac Arrest

Treating Cardiac Arrest And Heart Attacks

In cases of cardiac arrest, the heart must be restarted within minutes, using CPR or a defibrillator. The chance of surviving cardiac arrest decreases the longer the episode lasts, and drops to just 10% after 8 minutes and 24 seconds without a pulse. People who go into cardiac arrest around others who are able to call for help are nearly three times as likely to survive the incident.

Once the cardiac arrest victim is brought back to life, the treatment focuses on identifying and mitigating the cause of cardiac arrest. High-risk patients might be fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator , a device that shocks the heart into a normal rhythm when an irregular rhythm is detected.

The treatment for heart attacks depends on the position and size of the blockage. Sometimes the blockage can be cleared with thrombolytic therapy, the use of medications to break up clots.

Sometimes patients who have a heart attack may be given a stent. This medical device is placed using a catheter and props the artery open, ensuring proper blood flow to the heart.

After the immediate blockage is treated, many heart attack patients are prescribed medication to reduce cholesterol or prevent clots. Aspirin can reduce the likelihood of heart-attacks in high-risk patients and people with heart disease. Doctors will also recommend lifestyle changes, like reducing fatty foods and exercising regularly.

Q What Are The Symptoms Of A Heart Attack

A. People experiencing a heart attack often stay conscious and awake. In an acute heart attack, theres usually one major blockage that some blood can flow around. The circulation is not as strong, but blood still reaches vital organs and the brain, so the person stays awake. If you have a heart attack, you might experience these symptoms over hours, days or weeks:

• Chest pain.
• Weakness.

Heart Attack And Sudden Cardiac Arrest Differences

People often use these terms interchangeably, but they are not synonyms. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked, and sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating unexpectedly. A heart attack is a circulation problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem.

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Can Sudden Cardiac Arrest Be Prevented

You may be able to lower your risk of SCA by following a heart-healthy lifestyle. If you have coronary artery disease or another heart disease, treating that disease can also lower your risk of SCA. If you have had an SCA, getting an implantable cardioverter defibrillator can lower your chance of having another SCA.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

The Difference Between Heart Attack And Cardiac Arrest

Many people assume that a heart attack is the same thing as cardiac arrest. There are many similarities, but they are actually very different from each other.

Lets talk about the differences between a heart attack and cardiac arrest, and what to do if you or someone you care about is displaying the symptoms.

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Heart Attack And Cardiac Arrest

Differences between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest is crucial to understand as it explains what to do in that scenario. Understanding the fundamentals and signs of a heart attack and cardiac arrest are crucial as one can spot the differences between the two. A heart attack usually occurs when blood supply to the heart stops which causes the portion of the heart to stop beating, making it to slowly die. A Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, is much more serious, as the heart stops beating altogether and leads to the collapse of the person altogether. Heart attacks usually occur when the blood flow to the heart stops, it usually starts from the underside of the heart.

How Can You Tell Whether Someone Is Having A Heart Attack Or A Cardiac Arrest

It can be difficult to tell whether someone is having a heart attack. One reason for this is that the symptoms of a heart attack can be different for different people. Another reason is that other conditions like a panic attack, heartburn, or asthma attack can sometimes cause some of the same symptoms.

There are some symptoms that make it likely that someone is having a heart attack, especially if they have a history of heart disease, including:

• Chest pain or chest pressure

• Shortness of breath

• Pain in the jaw, neck, arms, or back

• Nausea and vomiting

• Lightheadedness

A cardiac arrest is much easier to spot. Symptoms of a cardiac arrest include loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, and loss of pulse.

Someone who has a cardiac arrest may:

• Appear very pale

• Not be able to respond to voice or touch

• Have difficulty breathing

• Have a weak pulse or no pulse at all

If a person with a cardiac arrest is hooked up to a heart monitor, the heart rhythm may look abnormal or there could be no rhythm at all just a flat line. This means that the electrical activity in the heart is abnormal or there is no electrical activity at all.

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What Is A Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart. If the blocked artery is not reopened quickly, the part of the heart normally nourished by that artery begins to die. The longer a person goes without treatment, the greater the damage.

Symptoms of a heart attack may be immediate and intense. More often, though, symptoms start slowly and persist for hours, days or weeks before a heart attack. Unlike with sudden cardiac arrest, the heart usually does not stop beating during a heart attack. The heart attack symptoms in women can be different than men.

Q Why Is It Important For People To Know The Difference Between A Heart Attack And Sudden Cardiac Arrest

A. We often say, time is tissue. This means the longer you wait to get help, the more damage can occur to the heart tissue. So, if you or your loved one has symptoms, knowing the difference can help you make lifesaving decisions.

For example:

• Sudden loss of consciousness: Call 911, look for an automated external defibrillator and begin CPR immediately.
• Conscious with symptoms: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Also, if youve experienced a previous heart attack or have heart disease, youre at higher risk for SCA. The risk of SCA following a heart attack is highest in the first three months, then gradually decreases. Your doctor can help you figure out what preventive steps to take.

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The Difference Between Heart Attacks Cardiac Arrest And Strokes

The risk factors may be the same, but understanding the differences between a stroke, heart attack and cardiac arrest could mean the difference between life and death.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Some symptoms of a heart attack include shortness of breath, sweating, discomfort in the center of the chest and even discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Men and women often experience heart attacks differently, and women may exhibit less visible symptoms or may feel abdominal pain often mistaken as heartburn.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating and blood and oxygen cannot flow to the body’s vital organs. Without the use of an automated external defibrillator, death can occur . Symptoms of this include loss of consciousness and cessation of breathing and a pulse.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked either by a clogged or burst blood vessel. Difficulty walking, speaking or seeing can be symptoms, as well as headaches or weakness on one side of the body. Brain cells start dying within minutes after a stroke, which is why immediate action is necessary.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity are all risk factors that can increase an individual’s likelihood of experiencing a heart attack, cardiac arrest or stroke. Immediate – and proper -action is necessary in treating each of these life-threatening episodes.

Stroke Risk Assessment

What Is The Difference Between Sudden Cardiac Arrest And A Heart Attack

When it comes to heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest, there can be a general misunderstanding that they are similar, if not the same, conditions. However, both are medical emergencies related to heart health, understanding the difference between them is incredibly important. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is interrupted, typically by a blood clot, whereas a sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes it to stop beating entirely.

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What Is The Difference Between A Heart Attack And A Cardiac Arrest

A heart attack happens when your heart muscle cant get enough blood. This can happen because there is a blockage in one of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, or if there is a spasm in one of the blood vessels. Sometimes, it can happen when there is increased stress on the heart. Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Chest pain

• Pain in the left side of the jaw or left arm

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea

A cardiac arrest happens when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood normally. This can happen because the heart stops beating or develops an abnormal rhythm that keeps it from effectively pumping blood. Some people who have a cardiac arrest have a history of heart disease, but some do not. Symptoms of a cardiac arrest are loss of consciousness and loss of pulse.

How Is Cardiac Arrest Different

A cardiac arrest is where the heart stops beating. Just like a heart attack, cardiac arrest is an emergency. The person will experience irregularity in the beating of their heart, which can disrupt the normal pumping of blood to the brain and other internal organs.

Cardiac arrest is usually triggered by an electrical problem in the heart. Patients with heart disease are more likely to experience cardiac arrest than are those who do not have heart disease. Ultimately, cardiac arrest is life-threatening, and the patient may suddenly stop breathing. Call 911 right away.

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Why Does Cardiac Arrest Occur

Cardiac arrest occurs when your heart has a rapid, irregular rhythm and stops beating, cutting off all of the blood flow to the rest of your organs. When your heart stops pumping blood to your brain, it can cause you to lose consciousness.

Cardiac arrest is more likely to affect older people, but if you previously have had a heart attack or have other pre-existing heart conditions including high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you are more susceptible to going into cardiac arrest. Be sure to visit your doctor for routine checkups and preventative screenings.

While Strokes Also Deal With Blood Flow Theyre Not Based In The Heart

There are two major types of strokes: Ischemic and Hemorrhagic. Ischemic is where a blood clot cuts off the supply of blood to an area of the brain. Wherein hemorrhagic strokes are a little different: They happen when you have bleeding in the brain via a ruptured blood vessel.

Symptoms of a stroke typically include a sudden, severe headache, sudden numbness or weakness paralysis , confusion or difficulty with speech, difficulty understanding people, loss of balance, and sudden vision change.

Treatment varies depending on the type of stroke someone had. If its an ischemic stroke, doctors will need to get the blood clot but surgery can be performed, too.

While these are all different conditions, they share many of the same risk factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. So talk to your doctor about prevention if you have one or more risk factorsespecially if you have a history of these events in your family.

If you or someone you know experiences symptoms of any of these conditions, get to the emergency room right away. A fast response is crucial to saving lives.

Visit our events page for information on future CPR Classes and other hospital happenings: Events

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What Is A Stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked. This is typically caused by

a blood vessel that has burst or become clogged. There are two common types of

strokes: hemorrhagic and ischemic. Hemorrhagic strokes involve bleeding on the brain

caused by a ruptured blood vessel. As the bleeding occurs, it damages the brain. An

ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot cuts off the supply of blood to a

particular area of the brain. The longer that part of the brain goes without blood

flow, the more likely it will be to shut down and die.

Symptoms of a stroke may vary, but often include a sudden and severe headache,

numbness or weakness on one side of the body, confusion, difficulty speaking and/or

understanding people, loss of balance, sudden vision changes and paralysis of the

face, arm or legs. Its important to note that brain cells can begin to die within

minutes of a stroke occurring. As such, immediate medical attention is necessary.

Treatment will depend on the type of stroke in question. With ischemic strokes,

doctors will need to go after the blood clot. If caught early enough, this can be

done non-invasively through the use of a medication called TPA. Emergency surgery

for catheterization and stent placement may also be required. With a hemorrhagic

stroke, doctors must control the bleeding. This involves managing the blood pressure

and flushing any blood thinners from the body. Stroke survivors may recover

Difference Between A Heart Attack And Cardiac Arrest

Its not always romantic or an indication of being in love when the heart beats faster. One of the most meticulously working muscle groups in the body, the fist-sized heart is known to beat over 1,15,000 times and pump over 2,000 gallons of blood in a single day. Lifestyle changes coupled with increased stress and non-communicable health disorders such as hypertension, obesity or, diabetes can lead to a considerably high incidence of heart problems, irrespective of gender and age. While it may begin with a simple diagnosis of complaints of breathlessness, chest pain, and blockage in the arteries, people are known to suffer from either Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack most of the time. It is, however, important to understand the difference between both the terms before using them interchangeably, as they are starkly diverse conditions.

Difference Between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest

Of the many heart ailments that are known to affect people globally, a heart attack is the most common. It is known to affect 10 million people approximately in our country every year. We may suffer from a heart attack when there is a blockage in the blood flow to the heart owing to fat and plaque build-up in the coronary arteries. As a result of this interrupted blood flow, part of the heart muscle is damaged or destroyed. It is advised to visit Manipal for the best heart attack treatment in Whitefield.

Understanding the symptoms and underlying causes

Ways to prevent

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What To Do For A Heart Attack And Cardiac Arrest

Call for emergency medical help immediately in both cases, since they are considered life-threatening medical emergencies where every minute counts. Furthermore, if you are caring for someone with heart conditions, it is best to learn how to administer CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator , and to have an AED ready for use if necessary.

Difference Between Heart Attack And Cardiac Arrest

It is often seen that people get confused between the two terms heart attack and cardiac arrest. However, they both are different conditions, and one must know the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest to identify the symptoms and take necessary preliminary measures for its treatment. In case of a heart attack, the flow of blood to the heart is interrupted making it stop beating slowly. However, a cardiac arrest makes the person collapse as their heart organ stops functioning.

Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack

To understand the difference between the two, you will have to look for the difference in symptoms between these two.

In case of a heart attack, these following symptoms are observed

• Chest pain

• Chest pain may spread to arms, neck, jaw, abdomen, and back.

• Cough

In case of cardiac arrest, these following symptoms can be seen

• Shortness of breath.

• No pulse to be found.

• Affected person becomes unconscious or unresponsive.

Further, refer to the table drawn below to understand the difference between cardiac arrest and heart failure.

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A Heart Attack Is Totally Different Than Cardiac Arrest

A happens when one of the main arteries of the heart gets blocked, causing the heart to not get enough blood flow. Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, happens when the heart stops completely. Cardiac arrests can sometimes be caused by heart attacks, but they can also be a function of stress, trauma, a pulmonary embolism, and infections.

In other words, we can also say both conditions can be serious, a heart attack can also be mild. However, a cardiac arrest is very serious and will lead to death without resuscitation.

What Happens During A Cardiac Arrest

With cardiac arrest, an electrical malfunction in the heart causes the heart to stop beating. When the heart cant pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs, a person loses consciousness and can die within minutes without treatment.

When someone suffers from sudden cardiac arrest, bystanders need to immediately call 911, give CPR and, when available, use an AED, or automated external defibrillator. This allows the heart to continue to pump blood to the vital organs while the patient is transported to the hospital for treatment.

Although heart attack and cardiac arrest are different conditions, they can be related. Heart attacks and other heart conditions increase a patients risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest can occur after a heart attack or during recovery. However, most heart attacks do not lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Those who suffer sudden cardiac arrest often have no signs or symptoms before it occurs. However, some patients do have fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness or lightheadedness, heart palpitations or chest pain.

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