Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to cardiac arrest versus a heart attack, it can be easy to get them confused. You may be wondering, Is cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack?

Both a heart attack and cardiac arrest can be scary and life-threatening medical conditions affecting your heart, but there are differences in how and why they occur.

A heart attack is caused by a blockage. It happens when an artery blocks the blood flow to your heart.

Cardiac arrest is an electrical issue. It occurs when quick, irregular impulses take over your heart’s rhythm.

And while most people will survive a heart attack, cardiac arrest is something that few people survive. It’s important in either case that you act fast and call 911.

Cardiologist Andrew Higgins, MD, explains how a heart attack and cardiac arrest develop in different ways and what you should do in each emergency.

What’s the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

Myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as “a heart attack,” can be deadly. In most cases, plaque clogs the arteries that supply blood to your heart. Without oxygen and nutrients, your heart’s muscle tissue can start to die. The goal is to return blood flow to your heart as quickly as possible — if not, a heart attack can lead to permanent damage and even death.

About 635,000 people in the United States experience a heart attack for the first time each year.

Key factors that can increase your risk of having a heart attack are:

• Age and sex.
• Family history of heart disease.
• Lifestyle choices, like lack of physical activity, smoking and diet.
• Certain health conditions, like diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.

By contrast, in cardiac arrest, your heart starts racing in a confused, disorganized way. Blood stops circulating almost immediately. You pass out, stop breathing and have no pulse. Unless your heart rhythm is restored as soon as possible, your brain starts to die from a lack of oxygen and blood flow. Fewer than 10% of people who experience sudden cardiac arrest survive.

In the U.S., cardiac arrest happens to more than 356,000 adults in a non-hospital setting.

An abnormal heart rhythm can be caused by the following:

• Heart attack.
• Heart failure.
• Drugs used for certain medical conditions.
• Illegal drug use.
• Inherited heart disorders.

Heart attack symptoms

Some heart attack symptoms are more common than others. Although most people experience chest pain in association with a heart attack, it’s important to remember that not every heart attack presents “classically,” and some people — particularly women and people assigned female at birth, people who are diabetic and people who are older — may also develop “atypical” symptoms with their heart attack, such as abdominal or back pain, or even having minimal to no symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Chest pain, also known as angina.
• Shortness of breath.
• Trouble breathing.
• Fatigue.
• Insomnia.
• Nausea or indigestion.
• Heart palpitations.
• Anxiety.
• Sweating.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

“Patients in these groups are less likely to present with chest pain and more likely to have fatigue and insomnia, as well as shortness of breath,” says Dr. Higgins. “Nausea, vomiting and pain in your back and shoulders may also occur — don’t miss these red flags.”

Cardiac arrest symptoms

Cardiac arrest symptoms can include:

• Fainting.
• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Heart palpitations.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

“Cardiac arrest symptoms typically start without warning,” states Dr. Higgins. “You may or may not experience chest pain before you faint and become unconscious.”

What should you do for each?

If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or cardiac arrest, act fast. Call 911 immediately. Don’t attempt to drive yourself or others to the emergency room. First responders are trained to assess the situation and provide treatment on the way to the hospital.

If you suspect a heart attack, and if you or the person with symptoms have been prescribed chest pain medication, take it. If you haven’t been prescribed any chest pain medication, slowly chewing 325 milligrams of aspirin may help reduce damage and prevent blood clots from forming.

It’s vital that you act quickly. Brain damage from cardiac arrest starts just after five minutes of losing consciousness, and cardiac arrest can be fatal if CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) isn’t started within eight minutes.

If you think someone is having a cardiac arrest, start CPR. Ask someone to find an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restart their heart.

“In cases with a sudden fatal heart rhythm, timely defibrillation could mean the difference between walking out of the hospital or dying — rapid application of an AED is critical,” stresses Dr. Higgins. “If you’re reading this and are unsure how to perform CPR or use an AED, many places like the American Heart Association, local schools, libraries and fire departments offer courses — you could save a life by preparing yourself now.”