Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest: What is the Difference, What is the Link?

Heart attack and cardiac arrest are two different conditions, while most people use these terms interchangeably.  

Heart attack is when the blood flowing to the heart is blocked, but the functioning of the heart is intact. However, during a cardiac arrest, the heart malfunctions and stops functioning abruptly or suddenly. Furthermore, a heart attack is a circulatory problem, while a cardiac arrest is an electrical problem leading to disrupted heart rhythms. 

This article explores the differences between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest by understanding the link between the two.  

Heart Attack: What is it?

Heart attack is when the arteries feeding blood to the heart get blocked and restrict the oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart. The blockage is usually caused due to fat, cholesterol depositing, or the build-up of other substances forming a plaque. If the blocked arteries are not opened quickly, the heart muscles may get damaged or destroyed.  

Symptoms of a heart attack may start slowly and stay for hours, days, or weeks before one experiences an intense and immediate heart attack. When a person undergoes a heart attack, the heart does not stop beating, and its functions are not disrupted. Some of the signs of a heart attack are:

• Extreme pressure, squeezing or radiating pain in your chest, arms spreading across the neck, jaw, and back.
• Heartburns, indigestion, nausea, pain in the abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Excessive sweating and body turning cold
• Fatigue

Symptoms of heart attack are not the same in women like men. Heart attack symptoms may be mild for some, while for others, it may get severe all of a sudden. Not all people, who have a heart attack, experience symptoms. Hence, regular checkups, Echocardiogram, and blood assays can help prevent blockages leading to heart attacks. 

Cardiac Arrest: What is it?

As the name suggests, cardiac arrest is the sudden arrest of cardiac functioning, often occurring without any warning or signs, sudden cardiac arrest is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart, causing irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia) and  disruption of the heart’s functions. The blood flowing to the lungs, brain, and other vital organs stop. Within seconds the person undergoing a cardiac arrest or failure becomes unconscious with the pulse dropping rapidly. The person may lose his life within minutes without timely treatment. 

What to do: heart attack and cardiac arrest

Both heart attack and cardiac attack are life-threatening situations. Understanding what to do when a person experiences either of the two situations is crucial. As said, fast actions and timely treatment can save lives

What to do in case of a heart attack?

If you observe one or more of the symptoms of a heart attack (as mentioned above), call the emergency medical services immediately. That is the best possible aid you can provide in case of a heart attack. 

If you see any other person unconscious or fear him having a heart attack, check his pulse and breathing. Call the emergency services and perform CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR is a life-saving technique given by,

• Pressing the chest hard and fast, 
• Opening the airway 
• Restoring breathing

But if you are not sure of how to perform CPR, simple chest compressions can also help the person in such emergencies. 

What to do in case of a cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest can be reversed, especially during the initial few minutes of this condition. If a person near you is unconscious or losing his pulse, call the emergency services. Try getting an automated defibrillator or AED and use it as soon as possible. Do CPR or continuous chest compressions and continue till you get help from emergency medical services. 

Is there any link between heart attack and cardiac arrest?

There may be an n-number of differences between the two conditions of the heart- heart attack and cardiac arrest but both the conditions can be linked or connected. A person may have a sudden cardiac arrest after a heart attack or during recovery from a heart attack. According to the American heart association, heart attacks increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest. 

Having said that, not every time does a heart attack lead to sudden cardiac arrest. But one cannot rule out that heart attack is the common cause of a sudden cardiac arrest. 

Other heart conditions leading to sudden cardiac arrests and disruption of the heart’s rhythm are:

• Thickening of the heart muscle or cardiomyopathy 
• Heart failure 
• Arrhythmias particularly, ventricular fibrillation and 
• Long Q-T syndrome

Conclusion

The two distinct conditions, heart attack, and cardiac arrest do have a connection. A heart attack though caused due to blockage of arteries, can potentially lead to a cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is the disruption of heart’s rhythm and a sudden cessation of heart functions with no signs or symptoms. Nevertheless, heart attacks are highly preventable with regular checkups and treatments, while cardiac arrest also can be reversed when treated early and quickly. With almost 12 lakh youngsters dying of cardiac arrest in India every year, timing is crucial when it comes to saving lives. Learning to perform hands-on CPR or chest compressions can help save many lives in either case of a heart attack or a cardiac arrest.