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In the world of heart health, two terms are often confused with each other: cardiac arrest and heart attack. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent two distinct medical emergencies, each demanding its own set of responses.
Understanding the differences between these two medical situations can be a matter of life and death. Those trained rigorously to respond to these crises are equipped with the knowledge to recognize the signs and symptoms of these conditions.
We call individuals willing to be trained and eager to help our Heartstrong Heroes. They must possess valuable knowledge and skills that can save lives.
For the layperson, it’s worth knowing what the trained helpers are being taught. In this blog post, let’s look at cardiac arrests and heart attacks to understand their differences.
Cardiac arrest is a sudden, life-threatening medical emergency when the heart stops beating effectively. In a cardiac arrest, the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, leading to an irregular rhythm or, in some cases, complete stoppage of electrical activity.
This disruption affects the heart’s ability to pump blood to the rest of the body, including the brain. As a result, a person experiencing cardiac arrest will lose consciousness, stop breathing, and have no detectable pulse.
It’s a dire situation that demands immediate attention because every moment without intervention significantly reduces the chances of survival.
Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, regardless of age or underlying health conditions, and often occurs without warning. Early recognition and swift action are critical when responding.
According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), recognizing the signs is one of the most crucial aspects of understanding cardiac arrest. The most telling sign is the absence of a pulse and unresponsiveness. It’s essential to check for a wrist or neck pulse. In addition, the person will not be breathing (or may be breathing abnormally, with gasping).
A heart attack is another type of critical cardiac event which differs significantly from a cardiac arrest. It occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle is blocked or reduced, often due to a blood clot forming in one of the coronary arteries.
These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, allowing it to pump effectively. When blood flow is obstructed, the affected portion of the heart muscle begins to suffer damage due to lack of oxygen.
Unlike cardiac arrest, persons experiencing a heart attack are usually conscious and aware of their condition. Common symptoms include severe chest pain or discomfort radiating to the left arm, jaw, or back, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, and cold sweats.
These symptoms often develop gradually and can vary in intensity.
According to Haven Lindsey, writing in Healthline, prompt medical attention is crucial in a heart attack, as timely treatment can help minimize heart muscle damage and improve outcomes.
Most heart attacks result from atherosclerosis (a condition where fatty deposits called plaques build up in the coronary arteries over time). These plaques can rupture or become unstable, forming blood clots that block blood flow.
Risk factors for a heart attack include obesity, cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension. These illnesses, along with other hereditary factors, can have a multiplicative impact on heart health.
That is why doctors stress so much on proactive heart care through regularly monitoring high blood pressure, checking cholesterol levels, watching out for signs and symptoms of diabetes, and following diet and exercise plans for obesity treatment.
According to the American Heart Association, there are different danger levels between cardiac arrests and heart attacks.
In a heart attack, the longer a person goes without treatment, the greater the damage. But unlike sudden cardiac arrest, the heart usually doesn’t stop beating during a heart attack, so the time available for rescue may be just a bit longer.
On the other hand, in a cardiac arrest, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death can occur within minutes if the victim doesn’t receive treatment with utmost speed.
Though different, these two heart conditions are also likely to be linked. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur after a heart attack or during recovery. Many heart attacks may not immediately lead to cardiac arrest, but when cardiac arrest occurs, heart attack is likely to be a significant cause.
What’s the outlook for a person with a cardiac arrest versus a heart attack? In a cardiac arrest, a patient’s chances depend on how long it takes to resuscitate the heart after cardiac arrest and how much irrevocable brain damage happens. In the case of heart attacks, they can be life-threatening, but most people survive them and go on to live active lives if damage to the heart muscle is repairable.
According to Daniel Pendick, writing in Harvard Health Publishing, “If you want to be ready to help someone who goes into cardiac arrest, the watchwords are recognize and respond.”
Recognizing is where knowing the difference between cardiac arrests and heart attacks comes in. If you can identify the difference, you’ll know how much time you have to save the person, even if the difference is very slight.
Responding with CPR (by a trained person, if available) is vital during a cardiac arrest or a heart attack in places outside hospitals.
The acronym CPR stands for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, where chest compressions are given to the patient to help maintain blood circulation and oxygen supply to vital organs, including the brain. CPR must be continued until professional medical help arrives because the heart may have stopped entirely or be beating ineffectively.
Lay people who encounter a medical emergency and lack the knowledge to distinguish between cardiac arrest and heart attack often find themselves in a challenging and perplexing situation. The symptoms of both conditions can overlap, leading to confusion about the nature of the problem and the appropriate response. According to Psychology Today, this difficulty can be paralyzing, contributing to the “Bystander Effect,” where individuals hesitate or assume someone else will take action.
Without CPR awareness, onlookers may struggle to identify the situation’s urgency and the need for immediate intervention. They might hesitate to call for help, delay administering CPR, or even mistakenly believe that offering assistance is beyond their capabilities. This delay in response can be critical, as cardiac arrests and heart attacks demand swift action to improve chances of survival.
Learning CPR can equip individuals with the knowledge and confidence to recognize the signs of cardiac emergencies, regardless of what the causes and symptoms are. Trained individuals ¬– the ones with that dependable “Zinda Dil” – can swiftly assess the situation, initiate CPR, and provide critical assistance until professional help arrives. They become potential lifesavers, drastically increasing the chances of survival for those experiencing cardiac urgencies.
CPR training is the key to breaking through this hesitation and becoming a confident and capable responder. With know-how and skills, you can swiftly recognize the signs of cardiac distress, take immediate action, and potentially save a life.
Empower yourself by learning CPR skills to respond quickly in a heart emergency. Encourage others also to do so. Become a Heartstrong Hero.
