What Sets Cardiac Arrest Apart From a Heart Attack?

New cases of heart attack arise everyday all over the world. And then sometimes, it is reported that an individual died of cardiac arrest? Are they the same thing?

The short answer is: no.

A heart attack, simply put, is when one of the coronary arteries become blocked, cutting off blood supply to the heart muscle. And a cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating due to an abnormal heart rhythm.

Here, you'll learn all about both life-threatening situations and the relationship between them.

What does a heart attack entail?

A heart attack is a situation that occurs when a blood vessel (or an artery) that supplies blood to the heart muscle becomes blocked.

The heart muscle then loses oxygen because the blood supply has been cut short. Not only that but the heart cells also begin to die and symptoms like chest pain develop.

Typically, the heart continues to beat but only briefly without prompt medical assistance.

What typically leads to most heart attacks?

Although the obstruction causing a heart attack might appear suddenly, the gradual constriction of the coronary arteries—known as atherosclerosis—that leads to this blockage usually develops over time because of various contributing elements.

They include:

Even though these elements don't directly trigger a heart attack, they can elevate the chances of it happening.

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What causes the chest pain symptom?

As the narrowing worsens, reduced blood flow leads to chest discomfort during physical activity for affected individuals.

A person may be able to go about their daily life without any pain or discomfort, but when they exert themselves, they may experience chest pain caused by that restricted blood flow.

Usually, the pain goes away once the exertion is stopped.

The discomfort referred to as angina indicates the presence of blockages but generally does not signify ongoing harm to the heart muscle.

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However, it is progressive.

Gradually, you'll need less and less physical effort to trigger the same level of pain and symptoms.

Hence, feel free to discuss this symptom with your general practitioner (GP) or primary care physician (PCP).

Depending on their experience, they might suggest a stress test for you or direct you to a heart specialist.

What does cardiac arrest mean?

Cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart ceases to pump blood throughout their body, including to the brain and other vital organs and tissues—basically stopping altogether—which results in irregular breathing.

Can a heart attack cause a cardiac arrest?

Sometimes, cardiac arrests occur due to a heart attack. This happens when someone experiencing a heart attack develops an erratic heartbeat, potentially leading to a cardiac arrest.

Nevertheless, the majority of heart attacks do not result in cardiac arrest.

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What additional elements might lead to a cardiac arrest?

Apart from heart attacks, several other elements can lead to cardiac arrest: 1. Respiratory issues. 2. Sudden electrical disturbances in the heart’s rhythm. 3. Severe trauma or blood loss. 4. Choking or suffocation. 5. Drug overdose or poisoning. These factors may trigger a sudden stoppage of heartbeat function.

Identifying the reason for a sudden cardiac arrest isn't always straightforward when it occurs.

If you witness a situation where you think someone may be having a cardiac arrest, call emergency services and immediately start CPR.

What to do in an emergency

Both heart attacks and cardiac arrests have a key feature in common: they are critical conditions requiring prompt medical attention.

If you are a witness or victim, always contact emergency services and let an ambulance transport you or the affected individual to the hospital instead of driving yourself.

This arrangement ensures that the person in question receives the required medical care throughout the journey.