An amazing organ that is essential to maintaining human existence is the heart. It acts as a strong pump, moving blood constantly throughout the body and supplying vital nutrients and oxygen to tissues and organs. The heart is not impervious, though, and it can be compromised by a number of cardiovascular diseases.
Heart attacks and cardiac arrests are two of the illnesses that are most frequently misunderstood.
A lot of people have no idea about What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. To comprehend the distinctions between these key medical events, it is essential to comprehend the structure and function of the heart.
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Understanding the Anatomy and Function of the Heart
A muscular organ in the chest to the left of the center is the heart. The ribcage shields it and is about the size of a clenched fist. While the left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the rest of the body, the right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood from the body to the lungs for oxygenation.
The heart’s main job is to pump blood through the circulatory system, making sure that all of the cells, tissues, and organs have oxygen
A network of blood vessels, including arteries that transport oxygen-rich blood away from the heart and veins that bring oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart, propels blood through the body. What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest then? Keep on reading.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction (MI), occurs when there is a sudden blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood.
The blockage is typically caused by the buildup of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances, forming plaques within the artery walls.
When a plaque ruptures or becomes unstable, it can trigger the formation of a blood clot that obstructs the flow of blood to a part of the heart. Without adequate blood supply, the affected area of the heart muscle begins to suffer damage and may eventually die if blood flow is not restored promptly.
Causes of Heart Attack
What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?
Common Causes of Heart Attacks: The primary cause of heart attacks is atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the gradual buildup of plaques in the coronary arteries. Several factors contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart attacks, including
High Blood Pressure: Long-term high blood pressure can harm blood vessels’ inner linings, rendering them more prone to the development of plaque.
Cholesterol: High LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels, also known as “bad cholesterol,” can cause plaque to build up in the arteries.
Smoking: Smoking harms blood arteries and hastens the development of atherosclerosis.
Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes damages blood arteries and encourages plaque formation, which raises the risk of heart attacks.
Understanding the Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Experts at Hameed Latif Hospital say that the signs and symptoms of a heart attack might differ from person to person, like the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. However, frequent symptoms include:
Most heart attacks are accompanied by chest pain or discomfort, which may feel pressured, tight, full, or squeezed. The discomfort could continue for a short while or come and go.
Pain in Other Areas: Pain may also be experienced in the back, neck, jaw, or stomach, particularly in the left arm.
Trouble in breathing: Breathlessness or trouble breathing is a common symptom of a heart attack.
Nausea: Some patients who are having a heart attack experience nausea or vomiting.
Cold Sweats: Even without physical exertion, profuse sweating, sometimes known as “cold sweats,” can happen.
What is a Cardiac Arrest?
To know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest let’s understand cardiac arrest now. A sudden and abrupt loss of heart function known as cardiac arrest occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). The heart may stop adequately pumping blood to the rest of the body as a result of an arrhythmia.
Contrary to a heart attack, cardiac arrest involves a disruption in the electrical activity of the heart rather than a blockage in the coronary arteries. If not treated right once, cardiac arrest can swiftly turn into a life-threatening condition and can result in death.
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Common causes of Cardiac Arrest
Dr. M Ahmed Raza Butt who is one of the top cardiologists in Pakistan says that cardiac arrest can be brought on by a number of circumstances, just like there are a few differences between a heart attack and cardiac arrest, some of which are as follows:
Cardiomyopathies, heart valve problems, and coronary artery disease are some of the underlying heart conditions that might raise the risk of cardiac arrest.
Arrhythmias: The heart may stop pumping efficiently if one or more abnormal heart rhythms, such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, occur.
Electrolyte Imbalances: Serious changes in the body’s electrolyte composition, particularly in the potassium and calcium levels, can impair the electrical activity of the heart.
Drug Overdose: Certain medications or recreational drugs, when taken in excessive amounts, can lead to cardiac arrest.
Severe Trauma: Traumatic injuries, such as from electrocution or a serious accident, can cause a sudden cardiac arrest.
Suffocation: Lack of oxygen due to suffocation, drowning, or choking can lead to cardiac arrest.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest
To know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest, let’s understand the symptoms of cardiac arrest as well. Heart failure presents with immediate and severe symptoms. Cardiovascular arrest happens quickly and without warning, in contrast to a heart attack, which may exhibit warning signals earlier. Heart attack warning signals include
Sudden Loss of Consciousness: The person who is afflicted may pass out unexpectedly.
Breathing is not occurring: Breathing may completely stop or become erratic and ineffectual.
Lack of Pulse: The person’s pulse might not be audible.
Quick action is essential in the event of cardiac arrest. Without immediate treatment, the chances of survival in cardiac arrest drastically decrease.
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Major Differences Between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest
There are some factors that can tell the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. Let’s have a look.
Onset and Timing
Heart Attack: What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?
A heart attack often occurs gradually and is frequently brought on by the rupture of a plaque inside a coronary artery. Heart attack symptoms might appear immediately, but they can also appear gradually and worsen over the course of several minutes to hours.
Cardiac Arrest: Cardiac arrest happens quickly and without warning. The electrical activity of the heart becomes disordered right away, which causes a sudden loss of heart function.
Electrical vs. Circulatory Event
Heart Attack: A heart attack is primarily a circulatory event. It occurs when there is a blockage in a coronary artery, reducing or cutting off blood flow to a part of the heart muscle. The heart muscle is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to damage or cell death.
You might now be seeing the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest.
Cardiac Arrest: heart attackA cardiac arrest is an electrical event. It results from a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system, causing abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. These arrhythmias disrupt the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, leading to a sudden stop in blood circulation.
In summary, a heart attack involves a circulatory event caused by a blocked artery, while cardiac arrest is an electrical event caused by a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system.
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When to See a Cardiologist
Since these two medical events are frequently used interchangeably, it is crucial for everyone to understand the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. Although equally serious cardiovascular emergencies, they are defined, symptomatized, and treated differently. In conclusion, being informed about these critical differences empowers individuals to act promptly and effectively during cardiac emergencies, In case of an emergency, it is best to visit the best cardiologist near you by contacting Healthwire.
