Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack: Key Differences Explained

Cardiac arrest and heart attack are both life-threatening medical conditions involving the heart that can lead to complications if left untreated. Despite their similarities, they are different in causes, symptoms, treatment, and outcomes. Understanding the differences between the two is essential to ensure proper response in emergencies.

Keep reading to learn more about the differences between cardiac arrest and heart attack, providing insights into their definitions, causes, symptoms, and treatments!

Understanding Cardiac Arrest

A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating due to a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system, often caused by arrhythmias.

It disrupts the heart’s normal rhythm causing it to fail to pump blood to the brain, lungs, and other vital organs causing a person to lose consciousness and a pulse.

It happens very quickly and without medical intervention, can be fatal.

Signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest

An individual experiencing cardiac arrest may suddenly collapse and lose consciousness. They may stop breathing or experience difficulty in breathing.

The symptoms of cardiac arrest symptoms include

• Fainting
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Heart palpitation
• Dizziness or loss of consciousness

The doctors may perform diagnostic tests, including an electrocardiogram, blood tests, and a chest X-ray, to determine the cause of the cardiac arrest.

Causes and risk factors of cardiac arrest

Heart attacks may increase the risk of cardiac arrest. An abnormal heart rhythm can also be caused by 

• Heart failure
• Cardiomyopathy
• Arrhythmias, particularly ventricular fibrillation
• Infections
• Illegal drug use
• Congenital Inherited heart disorders
• Drugs used for certain medical conditions

Also, certain factors, including cigarette smoking, drug use, heavy alcohol consumption, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, may increase the likelihood of developing cardiac arrests.

Treatment of cardiac arrest and aftercare

If you suspect the person is experiencing cardiac arrest, 

• you may perform CPR to increase the chance of survival of the patient until the ambulance arrives.
• Shout for help and use an automated defibrillator if one is available. 
• Many people with cardiac arrest may require medications, including epinephrine or amiodarone. The doctor may also recommend surgery or to live a healthier lifestyle to help lower the risk of cardiac arrest happening again.

Understanding Heart Attack

Heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked typically by a blood clot or a fatty plaque buildup in the coronary arteries causing heart muscle to die. 

But, it may lead to permanent heart damage if the blocked artery is not reopened quickly. Most people survive a heart attack if detected early.

Signs and symptoms of heart attack

Doctors may diagnose heart attack by performing a physical examination and recommending an electrocardiogram to check for the heart’s electrical activity. 

The symptoms of a heart attack may vary between individuals. It can be immediate and intense or mild with slowly progressing symptoms.

The most common cause of heart attack is sudden chest pain or mild pain that comes and goes over several hours.

Women may experience shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

The common symptoms of heart attack include

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Nausea or indigestion
• Heart palpitation
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Dizziness

Causes and risk factors of heart attack

The primary cause of a heart attack is a blockage in the coronary arteries that supply the blood to the heart muscles. The key risk factors that increase the risk of heart attack are

• Age and sex
• Family history of heart disease
• Lifestyle factors, including smoking and lack of exercise
• Certain health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol

Treatment of heart attack and aftercare 

If you suspect someone is having a heart attack, please seek medical advice immediately.

If you have had a heart attack, your healthcare providers may provide one of many procedures depending on the severity of the condition to help relieve pain and prevent another heart attack.

Some of the procedures that may be used are

• Aspirin may be prescribed to help prevent further clotting 
• Stent
• Angioplasty or stent placement
• Heart bypass surgery
• Heart valve surgery
• Pacemakers 
• In serious condition, a heart transplant is done

Cardiac Arrest Vs. Heart Attack: Key Differences 

Sudden cardiac arrest may happen after a heart attack. Heart attacks increase the risk of developing cardiac arrest but not all heart attacks lead to cardiac arrest.

	Cardiac Arrest	Heart Attack
Definition	Occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating	Occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked
Causes	A sudden cessation of the heart’s ability to pump blood due to an electrical malfunction in the heart	A blockage in the coronary arteries prevents the blood flow to the heart muscle causing tissue damage
Risk factors	Arrhythmias, heart attack, heart failure, drug use, high blood pressure	High cholesterol, smoking, family history, diabetes, etc
Symptoms	Fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, dizziness	Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, sweating, dizziness or lightheadedness
Link	Can occur after a heart attack	Can lead to cardiac arrest if left untreated
Treatment	CPR and defibrillatorion	Aspirin, angioplasty, stent placement

Table: Comparison between cardiac arrest and heart attack

Conclusion

Both cardiac arrest and heart attack are serious conditions and it is crucial to seek medical help immediately if you suspect you or a loved one is experiencing either of the heart condition.

For queries regarding either cardiac arrest or heart attack or to get expert advice if you are in Chennai, you may contact Dr Nikhil at Heart360 Care.

Frequently Asked Questions