What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest, their symptoms, and their causes? Both are life-threatening conditions, and it is important to know the difference between them to avoid an increased risk of death. We will discuss the differences between the two conditions in terms of symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
What is a heart attack
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle suddenly stops. It often results in a blood clot, which deprives the heart of oxygen and causes a portion of the muscle to die.
What is cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest is a very serious condition where the heart stops pumping efficiently, preventing blood from reaching the brain and vital organs.
Symptoms of a heart attack and cardiac arrest
Symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Pain in the jaw, neck, back, or abdomen.
Signs of sudden cardiac arrest include:
- Stopped breathing
- Abnormal breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Sounds similar to wheezing.
Causes of a Heart Attack
A heart attack is often caused by several factors, including:
- Blockage of the coronary arteries due to a buildup of fat and cholesterol that supplies the heart with blood and oxygen, causing plaques that may rupture and form a blood clot that blocks the artery.
- Eating an unhealthy diet, such as foods high in fat.
- Smoking increases the risk of heart attacks.
- Obesity and being overweight.
- Lack of physical activity.
What are the causes of cardiac arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest occurs as a result of:
- Coronary artery disease, where fats accumulate in the arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart.
- Heart rhythm disturbances, which are the most common cause.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Disturbances in the heart's electrical system that may cause irregular heartbeats.
- Drug and stimulant abuse.
What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest is a condition in which the heart stops beating and pumping blood to the body's organs. In a heart attack, the heart continues to beat normally despite the interruption of its blood supply.
Heart Attack Treatment
Treatment for a heart attack relies on certain medications prescribed by a doctor and other measures, including:
- Taking aspirin, as it helps prevent blood clots.
- Medications to break up the clot causing the heart attack.
- Increasing oxygen levels in the blood to relieve pressure on the heart.
- Taking anticoagulants such as heparin to prevent clot formation.
- Nitroglycerin to relieve chest pain and dilate blood vessels.
How is sudden cardiac arrest treated
Treatment for sudden cardiac arrest includes:
- Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to prevent death.
- Restoring the heart rhythm.
- The doctor prescribes medications to treat arrhythmias and control symptoms.
- A medical procedure prescribed by the treating physician or heart surgery may be performed.
Surgical Methods for Treating a Heart Attack
The doctor may prescribe certain procedures and surgeries, such as coronary artery bypass surgery, which helps create a new blood flow around the blocked part of the artery.
Or cardiac catheterization, where a tube with a balloon is inserted to open the blocked artery, along with beta-blocker medications to slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure, reducing damage to the heart muscle.
First Aid for Heart Attacks
First aid steps in the event of a heart attack:
- Call emergency services immediately.
- Help the patient to sit in a comfortable position and avoid movement or exertion.
- Use nitroglycerin, if previously prescribed by the doctor.
- Have the patient chew a 300-325 mg aspirin tablet to reduce the risk of blood clots.
- If the patient is unconscious, it is important to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Ways to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest
The chances of sudden cardiac arrest can be reduced by making some healthy lifestyle changes, including:
- Following a low-fat diet.
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Regularly taking cholesterol-lowering and antiarrhythmic medications.
- Getting a heart exam at least every two years.
- Conducting tests such as an electrocardiogram.
Summary of the difference between heart attacks and cardiac arrest
A heart attack is a condition in which the heart continues to beat normally despite being cut off from blood flow. In cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating and pumping blood to the rest of the body.
The main difference is that a heart attack patient is often conscious, while a cardiac arrest patient is completely unconscious and unable to breathe.