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Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack: American Heart Month 2025
Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack: American Heart Month 2025
February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease and the importance of heart health. During this month, we focus on educating ourselves about the different types of heart-related emergencies, especially cardiac arrest and heart attacks (and make sure you check out our Heart Month sale on heart-related equipment like AEDs). Though both are life-threatening, understanding the difference between the two can help you respond quickly and effectively if someone is in danger. Knowing what to do and having an AED handy could be the difference between life and death in a critical situation. To simplify the concept, think of cardiac arrest as an electrical problem with the heart, and a heart attack as a plumbing problem.
Cardiac Arrest: The Electrical Problem
What Is Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating, cutting off the blood flow to vital organs, including the brain. It happens due to a problem in the heart’s electrical system, which controls the heartbeat. If the electrical impulses that regulate the heart’s rhythm become chaotic or completely fail, the heart can no longer beat effectively, leading to a stoppage of blood circulation.
This condition is often instantaneous, and without immediate intervention, it can lead to death within minutes. The key to understanding cardiac arrest is the electrical malfunction that prevents the heart from pumping blood properly.
Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest can occur without warning, and the symptoms can be rapid and severe. The hallmark signs include:
- Sudden Collapse: The person may suddenly lose consciousness and fall to the ground, often without any preceding symptoms.
- No Heartbeat: The heart stops beating, which can only be confirmed through medical tools like an AED or by feeling for a pulse.
- Unconsciousness: Since the brain isn’t getting oxygenated blood, the individual will lose consciousness almost immediately.
- No Breathing: The cessation of blood flow means the person will stop breathing. In most cases, the victim will not gasp or breathe erratically.
Cardiac arrest can be caused by several factors, including arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), heart disease, trauma, or electrical shock. In fact, ventricular fibrillation (a rapid, erratic heartbeat) is one of the most common causes of sudden cardiac arrest.
The Need for Immediate Action
The most important thing to remember when someone experiences cardiac arrest is that time is critical. Death can occur in just minutes if the person does not receive immediate treatment. Here’s what you should do:
- Call 911 immediately – In the case of sudden cardiac arrest, the quicker emergency services arrive, the better the chances of survival.
- Start CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) – CPR is a life-saving technique where you provide chest compressions to keep the blood flowing until medical professionals arrive. Aim for 100-120 compressions per minute, pushing about 2 inches deep. If trained, give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions.
- Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) – If an AED is available, use it. This device delivers a shock to the heart in an attempt to restore a normal rhythm. Follow the voice prompts and allow the AED to assess the person’s heart rhythm. If you’d like to know which AED is right for your situation, check our our AED resource guide.
Cardiac arrest is a true emergency where the heart’s electrical system has failed, and a quick response is crucial to saving a life.
Heart Attack: The Plumbing Problem
What Is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a condition where one or more of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood) become blocked. This blockage is typically caused by the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the arteries, leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis.
When a blockage occurs, the heart muscle that the blocked artery serves begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen, which can lead to tissue damage or death. Unlike cardiac arrest, which is an electrical problem, a heart attack is a plumbing problem — it’s about the flow of blood to the heart muscle.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Unlike cardiac arrest, the symptoms of a heart attack can develop gradually or appear suddenly. Some people may feel discomfort for hours or days before the heart attack occurs. It is important to recognize the signs early to get medical help as soon as possible. Common symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Discomfort in the Chest or Upper Body: The most common symptom is pain or tightness in the chest, which may feel like pressure or a squeezing sensation. This discomfort can radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach.
- Shortness of Breath: As the heart struggles to pump blood effectively, it can lead to difficulty breathing. This may occur before or during the chest pain.
- Cold Sweats: Profuse sweating can occur even if the person is not exerting themselves.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Some individuals experience nausea or vomiting, sometimes in the absence of chest pain.
- Fatigue and Dizziness: People having a heart attack may also feel unusually tired, lightheaded, or faint.
While the symptoms of a heart attack are often gradual, some cases can be sudden and intense. The intensity of the pain or discomfort varies from person to person, and women, in particular, may experience more subtle or atypical symptoms.
The Importance of Immediate Action
If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, don’t wait to call for help. It’s crucial to call 911 immediately, as quick medical intervention can minimize heart damage and improve the chances of survival. Here’s what you should do:
- Call 911 – Seek emergency medical help as soon as possible. The earlier treatment begins, the less damage to the heart muscle.
- Chew Aspirin (If Not Allergic) – If the person is conscious and not allergic to aspirin, have them chew one aspirin (typically 325 mg). This can help thin the blood and reduce the severity of the heart attack.
- Stay Calm – Encourage the person to remain calm and avoid exerting themselves. Resting in a semi-reclined position can reduce the strain on the heart.
Heart attacks are not always fatal if caught early. Many people survive heart attacks, but the longer the heart goes without oxygen, the more severe the damage. Immediate treatment can help clear the blockage and restore blood flow.
The Key Differences
Cardiac Arrest and heart attacks are often confused, but understanding the distinctions between the two could mean the difference between life and death. Here’s a summary of their key differences:
| Feature | Cardiac Arrest (Electrical Problem) | Heart Attack (Plumbing Problem) |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Electrical malfunction of the heart | Blockage in the coronary arteries |
| Symptoms | Sudden collapse, no heartbeat, unconsciousness, no breathing | Chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats |
| Time to Action | Immediate (death can occur within minutes) | Time-sensitive but not immediate (damage increases over time) |
| Treatment | CPR, AED, immediate medical intervention | Call 911, aspirin (if appropriate), rest |
| Outcome | Often fatal without immediate intervention | Can be survived with timely medical treatment |
Conclusion
Although cardiac arrest and a heart attack both involve the heart, they are very different in their causes, symptoms, and treatments. Cardiac arrest is an electrical issue that requires immediate CPR and an AED to restart the heart, whereas a heart attack is a blockage problem that needs quick medical intervention to restore blood flow. To be prepared for either emergency, be sure to complete CPR training and keep public areas stocked with an AED. For events, look into renting AEDs to meet short-term needs.
Knowing the signs and differences can save lives. In both cases, calling 911 and getting immediate medical help is essential. Understanding these critical differences can help you act quickly in an emergency and improve the chances of survival for someone you care about.