Difference Between Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attacks

1. When it comes to cardiac arrest vs. a heart attack, it can be easy to get confused between the two. One might also be wondering if a cardiac arrest and a heart attack are considered the same. One must understand that a heart attack is caused by a blockage of the artery, which blocks the blood flow to the heart. However, a cardiac arrest occurs when quick, irregular impulses take over the heart’s rhythm. While most individuals survive a heart attack, cardiac arrest, on the other hand, is something that only a very few individuals survive. Both of them are scary and life-threatening medical conditions that affect the heart. However, there are differences between the two. To provide readers with a better understanding of the differences between cardiac arrest and heart attacks, we have taken insights from a top heart surgeon in Delhi, Dr. Sujay Shad. To make this post factful, the article aims to clear up all the doubts regarding a cardiac arrest and a heart attack. Continue reading for more insights. What is a Heart Attack? A heart attack occurs when the blocked arteries prevent the blood from reaching the heart. If these arteries do not open, the part of the heart equipped by those arteries will begin to die. If the person keeps on delaying their treatment, the more damage it causes. The symptoms of a heart attack may be immediate or start slowly with mild symptoms. What is a Cardiac Arrest? Cardiac arrests happen suddenly and without any warning. An irregular heartbeat often occurs due to an electrical malfunction in the heart. When its pumping is affected, the heart is unable to pump blood to the brain, lungs, or other organs. If this occurs, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse.

2. How Are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest Different From One Another? Since a heart attack and cardiac arrest are both life-threatening medical emergencies, understanding the symptoms of both is a must. Moreover, below are the symptoms of each: Symptoms of a Heart Attack The symptoms of a heart attack include, as below: ● Chest pain or discomfort ● Heavy or burning pain that radiates to the arms or the back, neck, jaw, or stomach ● Shortness of breath ● Lightheadedness ● Nausea ● A rapid or irregular heartbeat ● Sweating Symptoms of a Cardiac Arrest Losing consciousness is the first symptom of a cardiac arrest. At times, an individual can experience warning signs of a cardiac arrest just a few hours before the cardiac arrest. The warning signs include the following: ● Racing heartbeat ● Lightheadedness or dizziness ● Chest pain ● Shortness of breath ● Nausea ● Vomiting If one ever experiences any of these symptoms, they must seek medical attention right away. One can consult Dr. Sujay Shad, a renowned heart surgeon in Delhi, who practices at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. The expert surgeon will examine the patient's overall health and recommend the best course of treatment. What is the Difference Between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrests?

3. A heart attack occurs when the blood that normally flows to the heart gets blocked. The heart muscles begin to die without enough oxygen-rich blood flowing to the heart. However, in cardiac arrest, the word 'arrest' means to bring something to a halt. In cases of cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating, which is a major health concern. One must note that while a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest if not treated right away, not all heart attacks result in cardiac arrest. Both conditions require immediate medical attention, and the outcomes are greatly improved when treatment is administered promptly. Additionally, prevention strategies for heart attack (such as managing risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes) differ from those for cardiac arrest (such as managing underlying heart conditions and ensuring access to AEDs {automated external defibrillators} in high-risk settings). What Actions Should Be Taken In Case If One Experiences a Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest? One must call emergency services immediately so that the patient can receive treatment as soon as possible. Emergency services staff are trained to revive an unresponsive person whose heart has stopped beating. Either CPR or a defibrillator can be used to do this. The patient's survival rate after cardiac arrest can be increased by performing CPR and using defibrillators. The goal of CPR is to pump the heart in order to circulate blood and provide oxygen to the organs. However, the defibrillator sends electric shocks to the heart, aiming to restore its normal rhythm. What are the Risk Factors for a Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack? The risk factors include a family medical history of the condition, drug use, alcohol use, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, stress, smoking, kidney failure, heart failure, high cholesterol, and many more. Summary In brief, there is a difference between cardiac arrests and heart attacks. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply of a part of the heart stops. However, a cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating as a whole. If one is experiencing symptoms that could either be a heart attack or a sudden cardiac arrest, one must seek medical attention right away, as that could be life-threatening. A cardiac arrest could be reversed only if treated within minutes, so it's essential to act promptly, as the longer a person waits to get help, the greater the damage. Moreover, one can consult Dr. Sujay Shad, an expert heart surgeon, who is available at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The expert surgeon has more than 36 years of overall experience and has performed several heart surgeries over the years. Some of those include coronary bypass surgery, off-pump CABG, total arterial CABG, heart valve surgery, mitral valve repair, mitral valve replacement, aortic valve replacement, aortic surgery, aortic dissection, septal myectomy for HOCM, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, heart failure surgeries, LVAD heart transplant, ECMO surgeries for LV aneurysm, and many more. Owing to his expertise and skills the expert doctor is also regarded as the best bypass surgeon in Delhi. To consult the expert heart surgeon, Dr. Sujay Shad, visit Delhi’s multi-speciality hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, today!