Heart Attack Vs Cardiac Arrest: What's The Difference

While every organ in our body is essential for survival, there are some organs without which breathing is impossible. The most crucial organ for this is the heart. The heart is one of the most vital organs, playing a crucial role in supplying blood and oxygen throughout the body. However, when the heart suddenly stops working or its arteries become blocked, it can be life-threatening. People often make the mistake of considering heart attack and cardiac arrest to be the same thing. However, you should understand the difference between the two, as there are significant differences.

In this blog, we will examine in detail the differences between heart attack and cardiac arrest. Their causes, symptoms, and preventive measures. We will also learn which regular heart checkup packages or Full Body Checkups in Lucknow can help you identify these serious risks early.

Defining Heart Attack: Causes and Symptoms

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) typically occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle becomes obstructed. It's typically caused by a blood clot, which severely damages the heart muscle. The most common causes include coronary artery disease and artery spasms caused by plaque buildup.

These are the symptoms:

1. Sudden chest pain is the most common symptom.

2. Pain in other areas: This may be uncomfortable and may radiate to both arms, back, neck, jaw, abdomen, or shoulders.

3. Difficulty breathing: This may precede or accompany chest discomfort and may even occur while resting.

4. Sudden dizziness or unexplained lightheadedness: Feeling faint or feeling like you might faint.

5. Feeling extremely tired all the time: Feeling extremely tired that may last for several days. This condition is more common in women.

Note: Symptoms can vary from person to person, and some people, especially women, may have fewer alert signals. If you ever experience any of these symptoms, contact your nearest hospital or Pathology Lab in Lucknow without delay.

What Happens During a Cardiac Arrest?

First of all, it's important to understand that cardiac arrest is a very serious condition that occurs suddenly, and it's even more serious than a heart attack. Usually, a cardiac arrest is caused by an electrical malfunction, which causes your heart to suddenly stop working. This means that blood flow to your brain and other organs stops completely, causing the person to suddenly fall unconscious. Death can occur at any time in such a situation, and it's a major medical emergency.

Some Reasons of Cardiac Arrest:

1. Due to electrical problems, your heart beats irregularly or stops completely, causing a sudden halt in cardiac activity.

2. The proper flow of blood to the brain suddenly stops, due to which the person immediately falls unconscious.

3. No pulse or breathing: The person is unresponsive, and their breathing or pulse is not normal.

Why is immediate treatment necessary?

1. Time is crucial: The brain can only survive for a few minutes without oxygen. Without blood flow, brain cells begin to die.

2. Prevent brain damage: Immediate CPR can help restore some blood flow to the brain and delay brain damage.

3. Survival depends on speed: The longer a person loses blood flow, the less likely they are to survive and the greater the risk of permanent brain damage.

What to do?

• Call emergency help immediately.
• Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to get the blood circulating.
• If available, use an automated external defibrillator (AED), as it can shock the heart and restore it to normal rhythm.

Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest: Key Differences Explained

1. Cause: Stopped blood flow, sudden failure of the heart's electrical system.

2. The process: Develops slowly, but it occurs suddenly.

3. Symptoms: Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. Sudden loss of consciousness, life-threatening.

4. Risk level: Serious but expected to be controlled with immediate treatment. High risk of death if not treated immediately.

5. Treatment: Medications or angioplasty. CPR and a defibrillator.

Note: You should know that in both situations, life can be saved with prompt medical attention. With Heart Checkup Package in Lucknow, you can identify these risks early by getting regular checkups of your heart function.

Who Is at Risk? Common Risk Factors

First, you should know which age groups are at higher risk for heart attack and cardiac arrest:

1. People over 60 are at higher risk

2. Diabetics are at higher risk

3. People with high blood pressure are also at higher risk

4. People who smoke or drink excessively are also at higher risk

5. Obesity and high cholesterol are at higher risk

6. People who are stressed are also at higher risk

Note: If you have any of these problems or your lifestyle includes these things, you should get a Full Body Checkup in Lucknow or Health Package in Lucknow regularly so that you can evaluate your heart condition in a timely manner.

Recognizing Early Signs Before It's Too Late

Sometimes, the body begins to show signs of illness after certain symptoms appear, which people often ignore, such as:

• Frequent weakness or fatigue
• Shortness of breath when climbing stairs
• Sudden rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Frequent swelling in the feet or ankles
• Frequent fainting

Note: If you are experiencing any of these problems, immediately go to a Blood Test in Lucknow or a Pathology Lab in Lucknow and get your Lipid Profile, ECG, and Treadmill Test done, as it is extremely important.

Emergency Response: What You Should Do

Many times, you may have seen on social media that people suffer a sudden heart attack or cardiac arrest while traveling in a shopping mall, bus station, airport, train or bus, or while performing at a school dance or program, resulting in instant death. If you encounter such a situation, you should:

1. Immediately contact 108 or 112.

2. Lay the patient down flat and loosen their clothing.

3. If breathing has stopped, begin CPR.

4. If you are in a hospital, use a defibrillator (AED).

Note: In cities like Lucknow, many hospitals and pathology labs offer 24x7 emergency helplines. Therefore, keep the location of your nearest center with you.

Lifestyle Changes to Protect Your Heart

The safety of our hearts is in our own hands. To protect your heart, make some important lifestyle changes, such as:

1. Work out regularly: Make it a habit to walk for 30 minutes every morning; this will strengthen your heart.

2. Include a balanced diet in your diet: Eat fruits, vegetables, oats, and fiber-rich foods daily.

3. Avoid smoking and alcohol.

4. Reduce stress.

5. Should sleep at least 7 to 8 hours daily.

6. Get regular health checkups.

Note: If you live in Lucknow, be sure to take advantage of the local Health Package in Lucknow or Heart Checkup Packages.

Medical Tests to Monitor Heart Health

1. ECG (Electrocardiogram): Describes all the electrical processes of the heart.

2. Echocardiogram: Shows the condition of the heart muscles and valves.

3. Lipid Profile: Describes cholesterol levels.

4. Blood Sugar Test: To determine diabetes.

5. Treadmill Test: To check heart function.

6. CT Coronary Angiography: Detects blockages in the arteries.

Keep these important points in mind

Whether it's a heart attack or a cardiac arrest, both are extremely dangerous conditions, but it's crucial to understand the significant difference between them. Understanding this can help you take action against these serious illnesses in the future and save your life in time. If you live in Lucknow, consider getting yourself or your family a regular heart checkup package or a Full Body Checkup in Lucknow.