Difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack
Cardiac arrest and heart attack are very different events
According to the American Heart Association: “people often use these terms interchangeably but those two events are different. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a circulation problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem.”
Both are serious medical emergencies
Cardiac arrest and heart attack are both life-threatening events requiring immediate intertvention. For a heart attack the faster medical professionals can open the blockage, the less permanent damage is done to the heart muscle. For cardiac arrest, it’s essential to ensure that medical help is on the way as soon as possible. CPR should start immediately by one rescuer while other contacts the emergency services and retrieves an AED.
References:
- American Heart Association, “heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest differences”
- MSD Manual, “what’s the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest ?”