Many people believe that cardiac arrest is the same thing as a heart attack. In actuality, they’re very different. The Facts About Heart Attacks You’re probably most familiar with what a heart attack is. A heart attack, more formally known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart is cut off. When a heart attack occurs, it may cause a number of symptoms, including:
• Chest pain or pressure
• Faintness
• Lightheadedness
• Pain in the jaw, neck, or back
• Pain in one or both arms or radiating down the shoulders
• Shortness of breath
It’s important to seek emergency medical attention when experiencing the symptoms outlined above. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and be checked out.
How Cardiac Arrest Is Different When a person experiences cardiac arrest, also called sudden cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops pumping, which cuts off blood flow to the brain and other organs. This occurs when something disrupts the electrical impulses that signal your heart to pump. When that happens, it often triggers an arrhythmia, which is a disruption of the heart’s normal rhythms.
While both heart attacks and cardiac arrest are medical emergencies, cardiac arrest requires almost immediate intervention to prevent death. Unlike a heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest happens without noticeable symptoms until the actual event occurs. Without the immediate restoration of the heart’s pumping action, the brain and organs are deprived of blood, leading to death in nine out of 10 people affected by cardiac arrest.
It’s a good idea to know the symptoms of a heart attack, what a cardiac arrest looks like, and what to do when either occurs. Quick action is essential, and minutes can be the difference between life and death.
