Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack: Key Differences Explained

You may assume the words "cardiac arrest" and "heart attack" refer to the same heart conditions. But in reality, they are pretty different from each other. How? Read this article to know the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack.

What is a Heart Attack

It is a circulation problem.

A heart attack occurs when a blockage in an artery stops. This stops the blood from reaching a section of the heart, which begins to die. If not treated properly, the chance of damage becomes high.

In short:

Heart Attack = Circulation Problem
Artery blockage ➜ No blood supply to the heart area ➜ Heart tissue begins dying ➜ Higher risk of lasting damage if untreated

Heart Attack Symptoms in Men

Chest pain, squeezing, or aching
Pain or discomfort that radiates to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth, or sometimes the upper belly
Cold sweat
Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
Nausea
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Heartburn or indigestion

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

The heart attack symptoms in women can be different than those in men.

Shortness of breath
Nausea/vomiting
Back or jaw pain
Unexplained fatigue
Cold sweats
Lightheadedness

Treatment Options for Heart Attack

Each minute after a heart attack, more heart tissue is injured or dies. Hence, urgent treatment is required to fix the blood flow and restore oxygen levels.

The treatment option may depend on the severity and individual factors. The following are the options that can be considered.

Immediate oxygen supply.
Aspirin reduces blood clotting.
Clot busters (thrombolytics or fibrinolytics) are used to break up any blood clots blocking blood flow to the heart. Early administration of a thrombolytic drug reduces damage.
Heparin (blood-thinning medicine) may be given by an intravenous (IV) injection to reduce the chances of clot formation.
Nitroglycerin to improve blood flow to the heart. It is used to treat sudden chest pain (angina).
Morphine to relieve chest pain, if nitroglycerin is ineffective.
Beta blockers are used to decrease the heartbeat and blood pressure and prevent future heart attacks.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors lower blood pressure and reduce strain on the heart.
Statins are used to lower unhealthy cholesterol levels and prevent artery clogging.
Surgical procedures like coronary angioplasty and stenting, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), to open a blocked artery.
Cardiac rehabilitation to learn ways to improve heart health after heart surgery.

What is a Cardiac Arrest

It is a heart electrical problem.

Sudden cardiac arrest happens often without any warning. The heart has its own electrical pathway, and if this pathway fails, it causes an irregular heartbeat known as arrhythmia. Due to this, the heart can’t pump blood to vital organs like the brain, lungs, and other organs. The person can die if they don’t get help within minutes.

In short:

Cardiac Arrest = Electrical Problem
Electrical failure in the heart ➜ Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) ➜ Heart stops pumping blood ➜ No blood to the brain and organs ➜ Immediate medical help needed

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms in Men

Shortness of breath (more common in women than men)
Chest pain, mainly angina (more common in men than women)
Back pain
Flu-like symptoms
Unusual fatigue
Belly pain, nausea, and vomiting
Repeated dizziness or fainting, particularly while exercising hard, sitting, or lying on your back
Heart palpitations
Feeling as if your heart is racing, fluttering, or skipping a beat

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms in Women

Shortness of breath (more common in women than men)
Chest pain, mainly angina (more common in men than women)

Treatment Options for Cardiac Arrest

The treatment includes:

Immediate CPR is to prevent death.
Resetting the heart rhythm (defibrillation) by using an automated external defibrillator (AED), if one is available.
Medicines like beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers treat irregular heartbeats and manage symptoms.
Heart procedures or surgeries like an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery, etc., can be used to correct an irregular heartbeat, open a blockage, etc.

Quick Overview: Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack

The table below will help you understand: What is cardiac arrest vs a heart attack

Key Points	Heart Attack	Cardiac Arrest
Also known as	Myocardial Infarction	Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)
The problem	Circulation problem	Heart’s electrical problem
Cause	Blocked artery	Disturbed electrical signals
How heart get impacted	Part of the heart muscle begins to die because of a lack of oxygen	The heart stops pumping effectively to the body organs
Onset	Usually gradual, may show warning signs like chest pain	Sudden and often without warning.
Emergency Response	Requires urgent medical attention to restore blood flow	Requires immediate CPR and defibrillation to restart the heart

Conclusion

A heart attack is a blood flow issue, while cardiac arrest is an electrical failure in the heart. And knowing the basic difference between the two is crucial for the right treatment. Both are medical emergencies. Quick action, like calling emergency services, giving CPR in case of cardiac arrest, or restoring blood supply through timely treatment, can make the difference between life and death. The key is to always act immediately, because every second counts.