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Heart attack and cardiac arrest are two such terms that are often used interchangeably. But, these two terms are not the same. Though both of them are heart-related health conditions, they are distinct in terms of their causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatments. It is crucial to understand the difference between the two in order to avoid a life-threatening situation. That is so because both the conditions require different courses of action. In this article, we explain the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest with some relevant facts as well as sample questions and answers.
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Key Terms: Heart attack, Cardiac arrest, human heart, heart health, health, lifestyle
Heart Attack
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A heart attack is when the vital organ is devoid of its blood supply, either completely or partially, which causes it to stop beating. It occurs when a blockage in an artery prevents blood, which is rich in oxygen, to reach a section of the heart. Symptoms may include tightness or pain in the chest, fatigue, lightheadedness, and anxiety, among others. If left untreated, the condition can lead to a person's death. It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after you develop symptoms, preferably within one or two hours.
Heart Attack
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Cardiac Arrest
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A cardiac arrest, on the other hand, is a relatively sudden and unexpected condition. It occurs when a person's heart stops pumping blood around their body, leading to breathing issues and a potential collapse. Some common symptoms of a cardiac arrest include a loss of pulse, breathlessness, a loss of consciousness, and weakness. If not treated immediately, the condition can lead to a person's death.
It should be noted that sometimes, a heart attack can also trigger a cardiac arrest.
Cardiac Arrest
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Difference Between Heart Attack And Cardiac Arrest
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The major differences between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest are given in the following table:
| Point of difference | Heart Attack | Cardiac Arrest |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Blockage of an artery in the heart. | Heart becomes unresponsive because of a medical condition called ventricular fibrillation. |
| Symptoms | Chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, sweating. | Unconsciousness, loss of pulse, breathlessness. |
| Treatment | Seek urgent medical care, swallow aspirin, start Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) | Seek urgent medical care, start CPR. |
| Risk factors | Smokers, people with an unhealthy diet, and those with a sedentary lifestyle are at a higher risk of heart attacks | Overweight individuals and those with a sedentary lifestyle are at a higher risk of a cardiac arrest. |
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Things to Remember
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- Heart attack and cardiac arrest are both heart-related health conditions and can be potentially fatal.
- While a heart attack occurs due to a loss of blood flow to the vital organ, a cardiac arrest is more sudden and unexpected as the heart fails to pump blood through the body.
- In both conditions, seek immediate medical attention is advised.
- Roughly, about 7 lakhs of people annually die of sudden cardiac arrest.
- Women are at the highest risk of suffering from a heart attack. In fact, women under the age of 50 are twice as likely to die due to a heart attack than men of the same age.
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Sample Questions
Question 1: What is cardiac cycle? (2 marks)
Answer: A cardiac cycle is a series of alternate contractions and relaxations of the atria and ventricles in order to pump blood throughout the body. It gets initiated at the beginning of one heartbeat and finishes at the beginning of another. It has a duration of less than one second.
Question 2: Why is the heart called myogenic? (2 marks)
Answer: 'Myo' means muscle and genic means "originating from." In the human heart, contraction is initiated by a muscle known as sinoatrial node (SA). It is located in the right atrium. Since the SA node initiates the heartbeat and the impulse of contraction originates in the heart itself, the human heart is called myogenic.
Question 3: What is cardiac output? (2 marks)
Answer: Cardiac output refers to the amount or volume of blood that the human heart pumps through the circulatory system in a span of one minute. A healthy adult is said to have a cardiac output of 4.7 liters of blood per minute. It may be symbolised by the symbol Q.
Question 4: What is meant by double circulation? (2 marks)
Answer: Double circulation refers to a type of blood circulation system wherein the blood flows through the heart twice. In this form of circulation, the right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood and the other side pumps oxygenated blood. The double circulatory system is seen in most mammals, including humans. This is contrary to some living beings, such as fish, that have a single circulation system.
Question 5: What are the differences between lymph and blood? (2 marks)
Answer: Blood is a unique fluid connective tissue in our body that helps in the regulation of body temperature and the transportation of hormones and nutrients to various parts of the body. It comprises red blood cells, white blood cells, blood platelets, and plasma. On the other hand, lymph is a clear white fluid tissue composed of lymphocytes and white blood cells. It helps in the transportation of soluble fats and vitamins as well as the removal of metabolic wastes from tissue cells.
Question 6: What is the importance of plasma proteins? (2 marks)
Answer: Plasma is a colorless fluid in blood which helps in transporting food, waste products, and salts. Around 6.8% of the plasma comprises proteins called fibrinogens, globulins, and albumins. Of them, fibrinogens are responsible for the clotting of blood. Globulin provides protection against infecting agents while albumin contributes to maintaining fluid volume within the vascular space.
Question 7: What are the different heart sounds? (2 marks)
Answer: In healthy adults, the heart makes two sounds, known as "lub" and "dub." There could possibly be two other sounds in some healthy people. While the first two are high-pitched, the other two are low-pitched sounds.
Question 8: How can you prevent heart disease? (2 marks)
Answer: You can reduce your risk of heart disease by eating a healthy diet, becoming physically active, managing your weight, and avoiding smoking.
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