Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest are not the same: How to spot the differences and act fast during emergencies. Knowing could save lives

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, yet confusion persists between two serious events: heart attacks and cardiac arrests. Understanding the distinction is crucial, as timely action can make the difference between life and death.

Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, often due to fatty deposits in the arteries, known as plaques. Symptoms typically include chest pain, which may radiate to the jaw, neck, back, or stomach, along with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or even coughing and wheezing, according to Sun Health. People experiencing a heart attack are usually conscious and aware of their discomfort.

In contrast, a cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops beating effectively, preventing blood from reaching the brain and other vital organs. The NHS notes that someone in cardiac arrest will be unconscious and either not breathing or not breathing normally, sometimes producing gasping noises. Both conditions are medical emergencies, but cardiac arrest requires immediate CPR to improve survival chances.

Survival Rates and Causes
There are cases of a lot of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests annually, with survival rates under 10 percent, though early CPR and defibrillation can significantly improve outcomes. Heart attacks, by comparison, lead to thousands of hospital admissions each year, and survival rates have improved dramatically over decades, with more than seven out of ten people now surviving.

The causes differ as well. Coronary heart disease is the most common trigger for heart attacks, while ischemic heart disease, which can cause fatal heart rhythm disturbances such as ventricular fibrillation, is the leading cause of cardiac arrest. Importantly, a heart attack can sometimes trigger a cardiac arrest, though the two events remain distinct.

Spotting the Signs and Acting Fast
The British Heart Foundation advises that recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest—unresponsiveness and abnormal or absent breathing—is critical. For heart attacks, calling emergency services without delay is also vital.

Medical experts emphasize proactive measures to reduce risk:

• Regular check-ups: Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart health annually.
• Medication adherence: Follow doctors’ advice on statins or other prescribed treatments.
• Know your family history: Understanding hereditary risk factors allows for focused preventive care.

Knowing the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest is more than a medical distinction—it can empower bystanders and family members to act swiftly and potentially save lives during emergencies.