The difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack & bull; hello healthy

Heart disease consists of various types, for example heart attack and cardiac arrest. Both are different conditions of the heart. Unfortunately, there are still those who think that they are the same condition because they have fatal consequences. In fact, what is the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack? Come on, learn the difference below.

Difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack

Cardiac arrest and heart attack both attack the heart, the organ of the body that pumps blood. However, this does not mean that they are the same condition.

So that you are no longer mistaken about a heart attack or cardiac arrest, here are some differences that you can pay attention to.

1. Definition of the disease

The difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack can be seen from the definition. Cardiac arrest (cardiac arrest) is a fatal condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly due to disruption of the electric force in the heart muscle.

This condition makes the heart unable to beat normally and triggers an arrhythmia (heart rate disorder). As a result, the impact on the distribution of blood throughout the body is disrupted. Death can occur within minutes because vital internal organs, especially the brain, do not receive enough blood.

Meanwhile, a heart attack (heart attack) is a fatal condition that occurs when the heart does not receive sufficient oxygen flow from the bloodstream to the heart. This is due to a blockage in the arteries, so that the heart experiences a lack of oxygen-containing blood.

Heart attack conditions can last up to a few hours. During this time the part of the heart that does not receive oxygen continues to experience damage in the form of heart muscle death, if left untreated it can cause death. In contrast to cardiac arrest, the heart does not stop beating during an attack.

2. The symptoms that arise

Furthermore, the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack can also be seen from the symptoms they cause. Based on the Mayo Clinic website, sudden cardiac arrest generally causes symptoms, such as:

The body collapses and loses consciousness.
Pulse absent and not breathing.
Before the above symptoms occur, some of them sometimes experience signs such as discomfort or chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations or palpitations.

While a heart attack will cause slightly different symptoms, such as:

Shortness of breath accompanied by fatigue and cold sweat.
Chest pain such as pressure or squeezing that spreads to the neck, jaw, and back. These symptoms occur repeatedly as a warning sign.
Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness.
Stomach feels nauseous or heartburn.

3. An underlying cause or health problem

You can also see the difference between a heart arrest and a heart attack from the underlying cause or health problem.

Most cases of cardiac arrest are caused by arrhythmias that originate in the chambers of the heart, namely ventricular fibrillation. However, arrhythmias can also originate from the right atrium of the heart, which is atrial fibrillation which causes interference with the signal to pump blood to the chambers of the heart and results in cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest is more likely in someone who is born with a congenital heart defect. Some traumatic events can also cause sudden cardiac arrest such as when electrocuted, drug overdose, too heavy physical activity, loss of large amounts of blood, obstruction of the respiratory tract, having an accident, drowning, and hypothermia.

Unlike cardiac arrest, heart attacks are generally caused by progressive blockage of the heart arteries by plaque from cholesterol and calcium, such as atherosclerosis. The blockage narrows the blood vessels so that blood does not circulate smoothly.

In addition, heart attacks are also more frequent in people with hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, or lack of a healthy lifestyle.

The American Heart Association states that although they are different, cardiac arrest and heart attack are closely related. The reason is, sudden cardiac arrest can occur after a person has a heart attack. That means, a heart attack is one of the factors triggering cardiac arrest.

4. Measures for handling

In addition to the differences in symptoms and causes between cardiac arrest and heart attack, it can be seen from the different handling measures.

In cardiac arrest, the medical professional will give CPR (CPR / Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) or cardiac and pulmonary resuscitation. The goal is to keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs.

In addition, people with cardiac arrest also receive treatment in the form of defibrillation, which is sending an electric shock through the chest to the heart to get the heart back to a normal rhythm.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend medical procedures such as coronary bypass surgery, heart ablation, coronary angioplasty, and corrective heart surgery.

Meanwhile, in heart attack patients, the doctor will give drugs such as beta-blockers, aspirin, blood thinners and anti-platelet drugs.

In addition to administering medication, heart specialists also recommend coronary angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery. The treatment will be enhanced with cardiac rehabilitation to help the patient return to normal activities.

Although they are different, both are emergencies

Although cardiac arrest and heart attack have differences, they are both emergency conditions that require immediate medical attention. The reason is, within a few minutes of cardiac arrest occurs, the brain can experience damage and even death.

Likewise, a heart attack can damage the healthy tissue in the heart and cause death. If you experience symptoms that commonly cause chest pain and shortness of breath, see a doctor immediately. Place an emergency call on 119 if you see someone experiencing signs of cardiac arrest.

Quick and precise handling can prevent damage to vital organs, and even increase the survival rate of sufferers.