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Cardiac arrest, heart attack, and heart failure are serious medical conditions that involve the heart and require immediate medical intervention. A heart attack results due to a blocked artery while cardiac arrest is caused due to an impairment in the electrical conductivity of the heart and heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood efficiently. However, they differ in symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Read on to learn more about the differences between a heart attack, cardiac arrest, and heart failure that help you to know when to seek medical care.
Understanding Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating unexpectedly due to rapid, abnormal impulses. So, the blood flow to the brain and other organs decreases causing the person to lose consciousness. Without immediate treatment, sudden cardiac arrest may lead to death.
Signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest
The signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest are
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fluttering in the chest
- Gasping of breath
- Dizziness and nausea
- Fainting
- Lack of regular breathing
- Blackouts
Causes and risk factors of cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest is caused by irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias. The other conditions that may lead to cardiac arrest are
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart valve disease
- Congenital heart defect
The different risk factors that may increase the risk of heart disease are
- High blood cholesterol
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- An inactive lifestyle
Treatment of cardiac arrest and aftercare
Cardiac arrest may require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of a defibrillator that delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore a regular heartbeat.
It may also require implantable cardioverter defibrillators that can detect and correct arrhythmias.
Understanding Heart Attack
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked due to a buildup of fat. It can cause damage to the affected area and heart muscles begin to die.
It is a circulation problem and requires prompt treatment to prevent death.
Signs and symptoms of heart attack
The symptoms of a heart attack vary between individuals. The different signs and symptoms of heart attack are
- Chest discomfort or pain, tightness
- Pain in one or both shoulders or arms
- Cold sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Heartburn or indigestion
Causes and risk factors of heart attack
Heart attacks can be caused by a variety of conditions that lead to reduced blood flow to the heart. It includes
- Coronary artery disease due to a buildup of plaque in the arteries
- Injuries affecting the coronary arteries
- Thickening of the coronary artery walls
- Coronary spasms
The different risk factors that cause heart attacks are
- Age over 45 and older
- Overuse of tobacco
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Unhealthy diet
Treatment of heart attack and aftercare
The different treatment options for heart attacks are
- Medications: The emergency care team may administer medications, including aspirin, nitroglycerin, and beta-blockers to improve blood flow and prevent blood clots
- Oxygen therapy: Some people may need supplemental oxygen to raise their blood oxygen levels
- Medical procedures: Common medical procedures done to relieve pain and prevent another heart attack are stent, angioplasty, heart bypass surgery, pacemaker, and heart valve surgery. Surgeons may recommend a heart transplant if the heart attack causes damage to most of the heart.
Understanding Heart Failure
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle does not pump blood to other parts of the body causing the blood to back up and fluid to build up in the lungs causing shortness of breath.
Proper and timely treatment may improve heart failure symptoms and help people live longer.
Signs and symptoms of heart failure
The different signs and symptoms of heart failure are
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, and abdomen area
- Irregular heartbeat
- Coughing
- Lightheadedness
- Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack
Causes and risk factors of heart failure
Heart failure is commonly caused by coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The other factors that may contribute to heart failure are
- Heart disease
- Infection
- Heart attack
- Congenital heart conditions
- Pulmonary embolism
- Lifestyle factors
Treatment of heart failure and aftercare
Heart failure requires medications to relax blood vessels, reduce fluid accumulation, and regulate the heart rate. It is recommended to call emergency medical help if you develop chest pain, fainting, irregular heartbeat, and sudden shortness of breath.
Also, notice if you develop new symptoms, gain 5 pounds or more within a few days, or symptoms suddenly get worse and seek medical care.
Cardiac Arrest Vs. Heart Attack Vs Heart Failure: Key Differences
Heart attack and cardiac arrest may happen suddenly and require immediate medical attention. Heart failure develops gradually over time and requires a long-term management plan.
| Cardiac Arrest | Heart Attack | Heart failure | |
| Definition | Occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating | Occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked | Condition where the heart is unable to pump the blood efficiently. |
| Causes | Arrhythmias or electrical malfunction in the heart | Blockage in one or more coronary arteries often caused by plaque buildup | Weakening og the heart muscles due to high blood pressure, heart attack or chronic heart disease |
| Risk factors | Heart disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmias | High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, diabetes | High blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, obesity |
| Symptoms | Sudden collapse, loss of consciousness | Chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea | Shortness of breath, swelling in legs/ankles |
| Treatment | Immediate CPR defibrillation, advanced life support | Medications, angioplasty, stent, coronary artery bypass surgery | Medications, lifestyle changes, surgery or a heart transplant |
Table: Comparison between cardiac arrest, heart attack, and heart failure
Conclusion
Cardiac arrest, heart attack, and heart failure are serious medical conditions and each condition has its own causes and symptoms, understanding the differences and relationships between them is essential for preventing and treating them. If you notice any symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
If you are experiencing any heart-related symptoms, you may book a consultation with Dr. Nikhil at Heart360 Care for expert guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, heart failure and cardiac arrest are not the same. Heart failure is a chronic condition that develops gradually and affects the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. Cardiac arrest is the sudden cessation of the heart’s function typically caused by an electrical problem.
Yes, a heart attack can cause cardiac arrest. It does not always cause cardiac arrest but it increases the risk, especially if the heart attack causes significant damage to the heart muscle and may lead to abnormal heart rhythms.
Heart failure is generally not reversible but its progression can be slowed with lifestyle changes, medications, and appropriate medical attention, including surgery. However, it will get worse over time if it is not untreated.
