Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest: Understanding the Key Differences and Warning Signs
Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest: How do you distinguish?
When it comes to heart health, recognizing the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest can be life-saving. Though often used interchangeably, these two conditions are distinct—one being a circulation issue and the other an electrical malfunction.
Understanding their warning signs can mean the difference between timely intervention and a fatal outcome. Dr Tamkeen Kinah, an experienced cardiologist, specialises in diagnosing and treating heart conditions, providing expert care to prevent and manage these life-threatening emergencies.
What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?
Both heart attack and cardiac arrest affect the heart, but they occur due to different underlying reasons.
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): A heart attack happens when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked. The condition generally arises due to a buildup of plaque or clots in the coronary arteries. The heart continues beating, but the lack of oxygen-rich blood causes damage to the heart muscle and can ultimately lead to cardiac arrest if not urgently treated
- Cardiac Arrest: Unlike a heart attack, cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, causing the heart to stop beating and halting blood circulation. This leads to an immediate loss of consciousness, and without urgent medical intervention, it can become a life-threatening situation, causing death within minutes. There are many causes of cardiac arrest like disease of the heart muscle and electrical system
Think of it this way: A heart attack is a “plumbing” issue, where the supply of blood is obstructed, while cardiac arrest is an “electrical” issue that disrupts the heart’s rhythm.
Warning Signs: How to Tell Them Apart
Signs of a Heart Attack
- Chest pain or discomfort (often described as pressure, tightness, or squeezing)
- Pain radiating along the arms, neck, jaw, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweats
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
A heart attack’s symptoms may start slowly and worsen over time. In some cases, mild symptoms appear hours or even days before the actual event.
Signs of Cardiac Arrest
- Sudden collapse
- No pulse
- No breathing
- Loss of consciousness
Cardiac arrest happens all of a sudden and without any warning, and the affected person will not respond or breathe normally. Immediate CPR and defibrillation are critical for survival.
Which is more fatal, a heart attack or a cardiac arrest?
Both conditions are dangerous, but cardiac arrest is immediately fatal. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), over 90% of cardiac arrest cases that occur outside a hospital result in death.
- Heart Attack: While serious, a heart attack does not always lead to death if medical help is sought in time. Many patients survive with proper intervention.
- Cardiac Arrest: Without immediate treatment (CPR and defibrillation), cardiac arrest is almost always fatal within minutes.
However, a severe heart attack can trigger cardiac arrest, making early recognition and treatment of heart attack symptoms critical in preventing a worse outcome.
Do you give CPR to someone who had a heart attack?
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is not typically required for a conscious heart attack patient who is breathing and responsive. Instead, the person should be kept calm, given aspirin (if not allergic), and taken to the hospital immediately.
However, if the person loses consciousness and stops breathing, they may have gone into cardiac arrest, in which case CPR should be started immediately.
The rule of thumb:
- Heart Attack: Seek medical help immediately. No CPR unless they collapse and stop breathing.
- Cardiac Arrest: Call emergency services and start CPR immediately.
The Causes: Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest
Cause | Heart Attack | Cardiac Arrest |
Primary Reason | Blockage in coronary artery | Electrical malfunction |
Trigger | Plaque rupture, blood clot | Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) |
Common Risk Factors | High cholesterol, smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension | Heart attack, severe arrhythmias, drowning, drug overdose |
What is worse, a cardiac arrest or heart attack?
While both conditions are serious, cardiac arrest is worse in terms of immediate danger:
- A heart attack can develop into a cardiac arrest if untreated
- Cardiac arrest leads to death within minutes without immediate intervention
However, having one increases the risk of the other. Survivors of heart attacks are at a higher risk of developing life-threatening arrhythmias that may lead to cardiac arrest.
Treatment Options: Heart Attack Vs. Cardiac Arrest
Heart Attack Treatment
Immediate medical intervention is crucial to restore blood flow to the heart and prevent further damage.
Common treatment options include:
- Medications: Blood thinners like clot-busting drugs can help improve blood flow and reduce heart strain.
- Angioplasty and Stenting: A minimally invasive treatment in which a catheter is placed into a blocked artery to open it up, followed by the placement of a stent to keep it open.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): In severe cases, bypass surgery is carried out to redirect blood flow around the blocked artery.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Long-term treatment includes dietary changes, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and weight management to prevent future heart attacks.
Cardiac Arrest Treatment
Since cardiac arrest leads to an immediate loss of heart function, rapid emergency intervention is essential.
Treatment includes:
- CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): Performed immediately to maintain circulation until professional help arrives.
- Defibrillation: An automated external defibrillator (AED) delivers an electric shock to reinstate a normal heart rhythm.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): Medical professionals may administer drugs like epinephrine and perform advanced airway management.
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): For high-risk patients, an ICD is surgically implanted to monitor and correct abnormal heart rhythms.
Both conditions require ongoing medical care, including medications, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments to reduce recurrence risks.
How to reduce the risk of heart attack and cardiac arrest?
Preventing heart disease is key to lowering the risk of both conditions.
Some essential heart-healthy habits include:
- Maintaining a balanced diet: Include more and more whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and lots of fruits and vegetables into your diet.
- Regular physical activity: Try exercising moderately at least 150 minutes every week. This can help strengthen your heart.
- Managing stress levels: Chronic stress can cause high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: Both can damage blood vessels and increase heart disease risk.
- Routine medical check-ups: Regular screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart function can help in early detection and prevention.
Get to know more about Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest from the field expert - Dr Tamkeen Kinah
Having the right knowledge about the differences between these heart conditions is crucial. While a heart attack is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention, cardiac arrest is a sudden and fatal event that demands immediate CPR and defibrillation. Knowing the warning signs and acting swiftly can save lives.
Dr Tamkeen Kinah takes a comprehensive and personalised approach to diagnosing, treating, and preventing heart-related conditions.
His expertise includes:
- Early detection and risk assessment to prevent heart attacks and cardiac arrest
- Personalized treatment plans, including medications, lifestyle modifications, and interventional procedures
- Emergency care strategies for rapid response in case of heart-related emergencies
- Patient education and support to empower individuals to take control of their heart health
With the expertise of specialists like Dr Tamkeen Kinah, individuals can benefit from early detection, preventive strategies, and expert treatment to safeguard their heart health. Staying informed, recognizing symptoms, and seeking timely care are key to reducing the risk of both conditions and ensuring a healthier future.
If you or a loved one have concerns about heart health, don’t wait—schedule a consultation with Dr Tamkeen today. Your heart’s well-being is in expert hands.