During a heart attack, blood flow is cut off, while in sudden cardiac arrest, the heart has some malfunction and suddenly stops pumping. Sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem, while a heart attack is a circulatory problem. Despite common usage, these words have distinct meanings.
What is a cardiac attack?
The heart suffers damage when oxygen-rich blood can’t get to the part of the heart because of a clogged artery. The area of the heart that is fed by the blocked artery will begin to die if the artery is not rapidly unblocked. The more significant the harm, the longer a person waits to get heart attack treatment.
What is cardiac arrest?
The heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly, known as cardiac arrest. An abnormal heartbeat is caused by an electrical problem in the heart (arrhythmia). The heart’s ability to pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs is impaired. A few seconds later, they are unresponsive, and their heart has stopped. Within minutes, it might become fatal if the person does not receive treatment.
Heart attack and cardiac arrest symptoms include:
This is distinguished by a pressure in the centre of the chest that does not subside with rest and may last for many minutes (although the most common symptom of a heart attack (not all heart attack sufferers experience chest pain).
Chest pain radiates to other parts of the body, most frequently the arms, jaw, neck, back, and belly.
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Feeling or being sick
- Anxiety
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Sweating
- Weakness
- Palpitations
Signs of cardiac arrest:
- Sudden loss of consciousness/responsiveness
- No breathing
- No pulse
During a cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating, which is why there is no pulse. This results in a lack of blood supply to vital organs, which can be fatal. In the time leading up to a cardiac arrest, the following symptoms may also present themselves:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Nausea
The major causes of cardiac attack:
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Old Age
- The unhealthy food habits
- Genetic concerns
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
The major causes of cardiac arrest:
- Degeneration of the electric cells
- Heart Attack
- Diseases of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
- Electrolyte abnormalities – An abnormal spike or drop in potassium levels.
- A sudden blow to the chest
- A very slow or a very quick beat
- Genetic reasons
Can a heart attack be prevented?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the most effective ways to stave off a heart attack. For optimal health of the lungs and heart, it is recommended by heart disease doctors that patients maintain a nutritious diet, regularly engage in physical activity, take steps to reduce stress, and cut back or quit smoking and drinking. When your lungs are unhealthy, it can have a negative impact on the health of your heart.
Patients with diabetes and high cholesterol levels should also be sure to keep those two issues under control. Reach out to a cardiologist in Coimbatore to avoid fatality.
Can a cardiac arrest be prevented?
Even though a cardiac arrest cannot be stopped because various things can bring it on, the myocardial infarction specialist believe that every patient is unique and has to undergo an individual assessment to determine whether or not they are in danger of having a cardiac arrest.
Patients who have a history of heart difficulties should discuss the matter with their primary care physician to determine if they need an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator). Patients who have already been through a successful operation or angioplasty are also candidates for this treatment.
Because a cardiac arrest is a condition in which the heart suddenly stops beating, it is evident that a particular medication will not be of any assistance in an emergency situation. This is because cardiac arrest is a condition.
The connection between cardiac attack and arrest:
These two distinct cardiac conditions are related to one another. An arrest of the heart might take place either after a heart attack or during the rehabilitation process. Attacks on the heart can increase the likelihood of experiencing a cardiac arrest.
It is essential to remember that most people who suffer from a heart attack do not go into cardiac arrest. However, the vast majority of cardiac arrests are brought on by heart attacks.
The heart’s regular rhythm can also be thrown off by various heart disorders, which can ultimately result in cardiac arrest. In addition to another testing, a hs-CRP test, also known as a high sensitivity C-reactive protein test, can assist in determining the likelihood that a person will develop heart disease. Reach out to the cardiac arrest hospital at the right time to avoid fatalities.
What to do in case of a cardiac attack?
Each and every second counts! If you need to get to the ER fast, call for an ambulance. Once emergency medical services personnel arrive, heart attack surgery can begin, potentially saving the patient up to an hour compared to when they arrive at the hospital by car. EMS workers also learn how to restart a heart that has stopped beating. Those who experience chest pain and come to the hospital via ambulance often receive care more quickly.
What to do in case of cardiac arrest?
In most cases, cardiac arrest can be reversed if treatment begins within the first few minutes. The next step is to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) as soon as possible. Start CPR immediately, and keep doing it until emergency medical personnel arrive.