The Difference Between Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack
Written by Aanya Deshpande
The terms ‘heart attack’ and ‘cardiac arrest’ are usually used interchangeably, and many believe that they are the same heart condition. However, they are actually very different. A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery prevents oxygenated blood from traveling to the heart. Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is considered a circulation problem and cardiac arrest is considered an electrical problem within the heart.
A heart attack is caused by an artery being blocked, and blood can not flow into the heart. The blockage is usually plaque or blood clots. If the blocked artery remains unopened for a certain period, the part of the heart being nourished by that artery will start to die. If immediate treatment is not given, the effects can be fatal. Symptoms of a heart attack can vary. Some may also have no symptoms and still have a heart attack. The heart also does not immediately stop beating after a heart attack occurs.
Cardiac arrest usually occurs without warning and is very sudden. Cardiac arrest is caused by an electric malfunction in the heart that leads to arrhythmia. When heart pumping is disrupted, the heart can not pump blood to the other organs, which can result in unconsciousness and no pulse. If the person does not receive immediate treatment, they can pass away.
The commonalities between cardiac arrest and a heart attack are that cardiac arrest sometimes occurs after a heart attack or during recovery. Heart attacks and other heart conditions increase the risks of cardiac arrest.
The best action to take when someone is experiencing a heart attack is to call 911. Medical professionals will start the heart attack treatment procedure as soon as they get into an ER. For cardiac arrest, it is best to check for the pulse, call 911, and start CPR until an AED is accessible.
References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/cardiac-arrest#:~:text=What% 20is%20cardiac%20arrest%3F,die%20if%20not%20treated%20immediately.