What is a heart attack?
When a blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a certain area of the heart, a heart attack occurs. A buildup of fatty deposits, or plaque, in the coronary arteries is often the cause of this blockage. The lack of oxygen causes the heart muscle to begin to die if the blockage is not removed immediately.
Heart attack symptoms can be sudden and severe, such as severe chest pain. Some heart attacks begin slowly and cause little discomfort, or there may even be no symptoms at all. Women may experience different symptoms than men. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to, shortness of breath, fatigue, or nausea. During a heart attack, the heart usually does not stop beating, but immediate medical attention is required.
What is cardiac arrest?
When an electrical error causes the heart to unexpectedly stop pumping blood, cardiac arrest can occur. This problem prevents the heart from pumping blood to essential organs, such as the brain and lungs, causing an irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia. The person stops breathing and becomes unconscious. In cardiac arrest, death can occur within minutes.
Cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem, unlike a heart attack, which is caused by blocked arteries. It occurs suddenly and, if left untreated, is often fatal. Using an automated external defibrillator (AED) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are two of the most important life-saving measures during cardiac arrest.
Dr. Rajpal Singh, Director and Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore. “Cardiac arrest is a very serious condition that results in loss of consciousness and breathing. One in five heart attacks may present as cardiac arrest. This may be the result of a heart attack or perhaps other conditions. Emergency access to a hospital or a defibrillator is mandatory in this condition. Heart attack is due to sudden blockage of the blood vessels supplying the heart. This may manifest itself with sudden onset of chest pain, breathing difficulties, sweating or loss of consciousness. Emergency treatment with thrombolytic drugs or emergency angioplasty will save lives.”
What are the risk factors and causes?
There are several risk factors that can increase your chance of having a heart attack or cardiac arrest. The most common risk factors include:
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Family history of heart disease
According to Dr. Preeti Gupta, Professor at Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi“One of the main risk factors for both diseases is elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, commonly called “bad” cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attack. Sixty percent of my patients are unaware of their target LDL cholesterol levels. Regular cholesterol screening is crucial because it allows us to identify people at higher risk early. Through early intervention (such as lifestyle changes, medications, and in some cases more intensive treatments), we can significantly reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and cardiac arrests, improving overall cardiovascular health.”
Daily habits are crucial for heart health
Some factors such as arrhythmias or heart defects can put someone at higher risk for cardiac arrest.
How to tell the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest
It's important to clearly differentiate between a heart attack and cardiac arrest, as they require different responses. Here's how you can tell:
- The person is usually conscious and may experience symptoms such as chest pain, discomfort in the arms, neck or jaw, and shortness of breath. The heart continues to beat and there may be a feeling of tightness in the chest.
- The person is unconscious, not breathing and has no pulse. He or she suddenly faints and his or her heart stops beating. Immediate action is required to restart the heart using CPR and defibrillation.