(Image source from: Medical News Today)

People often tend to think that cardiac arrest and heart attack have the same synonyms, but in reality, there’s a significant difference between both. The most basic difference is the cause of the conditions.

What Is a Heart Attack?     

The heart requires an oxygen-rich blood supply, which is provided by coronary arteries. A heart attack occurs when heart muscles suddenly stop giving getting blood supply due to a blockage of coronary arteries. If the blockage is not quickly resolved, it can cause parts of the heart muscle to begin to die.

What Is a Cardiac Arrest?   

A cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack. While the body hints about imminent heart attack, a cardiac arrest occurs suddenly without any warning signs. Mostly a cardiac arrest occurs due to some disruption in heart functioning. The blood flow will be stopped and no blood will be reaching the brain and other vital organs of the body. Immediate medication is required in the case of a cardiac arrest and an individual is treated with an electric shock to revive and get the heart beating. In the absence of swift treatment, the patient dies within minutes.

Symptoms of Heart Attack   

1. Chest pain

2. Nausea

3. Vomiting

4. Coughing

5. Light-headedness and dizziness  

6. Shortness of breath

7. Face turning gray

8. Sweating

9. Restlessness

10. Pain in arms, jaw, neck, back, and abdomen

11. Palpitations

Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest

Having symptoms in cardiac arrest is rare and if you have the below-mentioned symptoms, then seek prompt medical care.

1. Short of breath

2. Vomiting

3. Feeling Fatigued

4. Heart palpitations

5. You may even experience chest pain weeks before the actual cardiac arrest

Difference Between Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest   

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart stops and thus causes a section of the heart muscle to begin to die whereas, in case of a cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating as a whole. There are revival chances in case of a heart attack, whereas in the case of a cardiac arrest it is very less.

Both heart diseases can be controlled if you follow a healthy lifestyle which includes daily exercise. If anyone of your family members has a history of heart diseases then you should get the tests done on a regular basis and be extra careful.

By Sowmya Sangam