Heart Emergencies Explained: Distinguishing Cardiac Arrest from Heart Attack
In the realm of heart health, two critical conditions often come to mind: heart attacks and cardiac arrest. While they may seem similar, these conditions have distinct causes, symptoms, and treatments.
A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, is a condition caused by a blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This blockage is usually due to a build-up of fat, cholesterol (plaque), or artery spasms, which reduces oxygen flow and damages the heart muscle.
On the other hand, cardiac arrest is an electrical malfunction in the heart, such as an arrhythmia (e.g., ventricular fibrillation), that stops the heart from pumping blood effectively, leading to sudden loss of function.
Heart attack symptoms often develop gradually and include chest pain or discomfort (often spreading to the arm, shoulder, neck, or jaw), shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, cold sweats, light-headedness, and sudden fatigue. In contrast, cardiac arrest occurs abruptly with sudden collapse, immediate loss of consciousness, absence of pulse and breathing, and unresponsiveness. It usually has no warning signs.
When it comes to treatments, a heart attack requires urgent medical intervention to restore blood flow, including medications, emergency angioplasty, or surgery. Immediate action within the first hour ("golden hour") improves outcomes.
Cardiac arrest demands immediate emergency response: calling emergency services, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available to restore the heart’s rhythm. Rapid application of an AED is critical in cases of sudden fatal heart rhythm.
The goal in both cases is to act quickly. In the U.S., cardiac arrest happens to more than 356,000 adults in a non-hospital setting, and brain damage from cardiac arrest starts just after five minutes of losing consciousness. Cardiac arrest can be fatal if CPR isn't started within eight minutes.
In the United States, approximately 635,000 people experience a heart attack for the first time each year. Factors that can increase the risk of having a heart attack include age, sex, family history of heart disease, lifestyle choices, and certain health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
Not all heart attacks present "classically"; some people, particularly women, people who are diabetic, and older individuals, may experience atypical symptoms such as abdominal or back pain, or minimal to no symptoms.
If you suspect a heart attack or cardiac arrest, first responders are trained to assess the situation and provide treatment on the way to the hospital. If prescribed chest pain medication, take it. If not, slowly chewing 325 milligrams of aspirin may help reduce damage and prevent blood clots from forming.
It's vital to act quickly in cases of heart attack or cardiac arrest; call 911 immediately and don't attempt to drive to the emergency room. If you're unsure how to perform CPR or use an AED, consider taking a course at places like the American Heart Association, local schools, libraries, or fire departments.
In summary, a heart attack is a circulation problem causing heart muscle damage, while cardiac arrest is an electrical problem causing the heart to stop beating. Understanding these key differences can help save lives by enabling quick and appropriate responses in emergency situations.
- Mental health is an essential aspect of overall health and wellness, yet its history in the realm of science has often been neglected compared to physical health conditions like heart attacks and cardiac arrest.
- A heart-and-wellness approach should not only prioritize physical health but also include mental health considerations, as factors like stress, anxiety, and depression can contribute to the development and progression of heart disease.
- In the United States, the American Heart Association emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health into heart health education and treatment, advocating for holistic health-and-wellness programs that address both physical and mental health needs.
