Everybody knows that any complication related to the heart and cardiovascular health is terrifying and really dangerous. But most people use the term heart attack and cardiac arrest indistinctly which is not appropriate and could be a fatal error. If you want to protect yourself or someone you love, it is crucial that you know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. And also you should know about its symptoms.

First of all, it is important to know that a heart attack and cardiac arrest can often happen independently which means you can have one without the other.

What Is The Difference Between A Heart Attack And A Cardiac Arrest?

The easiest way to think about this is, one of these health problems is plumbing and the other is an electrical problem. For your heart to work properly, you need effective plumbing and the necessary electrical power.

According to the American Heart Association, “a heart attack is when the blood flow to the heart is blocked, and a sudden cardiac arrest is when there is a malfunction of the heart and suddenly stops beating abruptly.”

# A heart attack happens when your heart is not receiving blood properly due to problems with your arteries and veins.

# And a cardiac arrest happen when your heart is not working properly and stops pumping blood throughout your body.

In many situations, a heart attack will happen first and could lead to cardiac arrest. This is because heart needs oxygen to function, and it gets this from the complicated network of arteries that surround the muscle and deliver oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When an obstruction prevents blood flow from an artery, it affects how much oxygen is given to the heart. And that causes poor heart function. In other words, clogged blood flow can cause your heart to malfunction, which results in both – A heart attack and in the end, a cardiac arrest.

What Are The Symptoms?

You also need to pay attention to its symptoms. In many cases, the symptoms of heart attack and cardiac arrest are similar. But there are some differences that can indicate what is failing so that you can receive the necessary medical attention as soon as possible.

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

– Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

– Feeling of tightness in the chest

– Pain radiating from the jaw or arm

– Trouble breathing

– Dizziness

– Loss of consciousness

– Sweating

– Heart palpitations

The symptoms of a cardiac arrest include:

– Precise collapse

– There is no pulse

– No breath

– Sudden loss of consciousness

Mainly, with cardiac arrest, these symptoms occur suddenly without warning.

What Is The Difference Between Heart Attack And Heart Failure?

The American Heart Association makes a clear distinction. Although heart attack or cardiac arrest can be fatal, heart failure is a medical condition with which a person can live for a long time. It is described as “a chronic condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s blood and oxygen needs.”

Heart failure is not when your heart does not work completely. It is when it does not work as well as it is not able to handle your workload required to maintain your heart. With the passage of time, heart failure can cause a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

The key learning here is that heart attack, cardiac arrest, and heart failure are different with unique causes and symptoms. But they are all related in the sense that they affect the health of your heart and your health in general.

Remember that the heart is an essential muscle that pumps blood and oxygen to all your muscles and organs. Know the symptoms to consider. And do not hesitate to seek medical attention if you are worried that you might have any of these heart conditions.

You would also like to read next article: Discover The 5 Healthy Habits – Must Know

Rohit Raj

Rohit Rajdev is an entrepreneur and having over 2 years of progressive experience as a web content writer. He has ability to generate content in a clear and precise manner. He has extensive knowledge of Google keywords research tools. He is target oriented and ability to perform tasks within limited period of time. You can reach him on Rohitrajdev1981@gmail.com