Which is more serious, a heart attack or a cardiac arrest?

Dr.Sukriti Bhalla, 2 mins read

While both a heart attack and a cardiac arrest are serious, they are different conditions and require different plans of action. A cardiac arrest is a sudden condition where the heart stops beating, whereas a heart attack is a circulatory problem. This guide will closely look into the difference between the two and help you know when you should visit a hospital.

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack is also known as a myocardial infarction. It happens when a blocked artery affects blood flow to a section of the heart. If this problem is not addressed on time, it can affect the heart function. The more you delay, the more damage it will cause. Because if the blood flow is not resumed, the affected heart muscle starts to die. This can cause permanent damage or death. That’s why a heart attack is an emergency condition. 

Early symptoms of a heart attack

A heart attack can cause many symptoms. Some of them are: 

• Chest pain (angina)
• Heart palpitation 
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing 
• Nausea or stomach discomfort 
• Trouble sleeping
• Anxiety
• Dizzy or feeling lightheaded

What is a cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops beating suddenly. This happens when an electrical signal failure causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). In this case, the heart is unable to pump blood to the brain, lungs, and other vital organs. 

Early symptoms of a cardiac arrest

The symptoms of cardiac arrest are often immediate and severe. Common symptoms of a cardiac arrest include: 

• Sudden collapse
• No pulse
• No breathing or shortness of breath
• Loss of consciousness
• Weakness
• Palpitation 

Is there any link between cardiac arrest and heart attack?

Yes, both are linked. A sudden cardiac arrest can happen after a heart attack. This is because the affected blood flow to the heart in a heart attack raises the risk of complete stoppage of the heart, known as a cardiac arrest.  

What to do?

Whenever you see someone with these symptoms, check for patient response and breathing. Immediately call an emergency ambulance or take the patient to the Emergency unit of a nearby hospital. In such a situation, every minute matters, so be fast. If you know CPR, begin it immediately till professional help arrives.