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Spot the Signs: Difference Between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest

Posted On: May 23, 2025

7 Min Read

Heart disease is flagged as one of the leading causes of death globally. Every second matters when it comes to heart-related emergencies. But many of us still confuse two of the most serious conditions: heart attack and cardiac arrest.

While they may sound similar, they are not the same. A heart attack is a circulation problem, happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating because of a problem with its electrical system. The treatment, first aid, and outcome for each are very different. That’s why it’s important to know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest.

This blog will help you understand what each condition means, how to spot the warning signs, what causes them, and what to do in an emergency. We'll also talk about which is more dangerous: a heart attack or cardiac arrest, and how you can reduce your risk with simple lifestyle changes.

Synopsis

Why This Matters?
What is a Heart Attack?
Common Signs of a Heart Attack:
What is Cardiac Arrest?
Signs of Cardiac Arrest
Heart Attack Vs Cardiac Arrest
Can a Heart Attack Lead to Cardiac Arrest?
First Aid Treatment for Heart Attack
First Aid for Cardiac Arrest
Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest- Which is more dangerous?
What Puts You at Risk?
How Can You Prevent Them?
Conclusion

Why This Matters?

Imagine someone near you collapses suddenly. Would you know what to do? Recognising the signs and understanding the condition can make all the difference. Prompt action can improve survival, especially when every second counts. Let’s break this down clearly and simply.

heart attack Vs cardiac arrest

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack or myocardial infarction happens when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked. This is usually due to a clot in one of the heart’s arteries. Without blood and oxygen, that part of the heart muscle starts to get damaged.

Common Signs of a Heart Attack

Chest pain or tightness
Pain in the arm, jaw, back, or neck
Shortness of breath
Nausea or light-headedness
Cold sweat
Fatigue

Some people, especially women and people with diabetes, may have milder or unusual symptoms like indigestion or just tiredness. A heart attack usually gives some warning signs. It may start slowly and build up over minutes or hours.

What is Cardiac Arrest?

Cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating. This means blood is no longer pumped to the brain and other organs. Within seconds, the person collapses and becomes unresponsive. Breathing stops. Without quick treatment, death can happen in minutes.

Signs of Cardiac Arrest

Sudden collapse
No pulse
No breathing
Loss of consciousness

It can strike without warning. It’s often caused by an electrical problem in the heart, called arrhythmia.

Heart Attack Vs Cardiac Arrest

	Heart Attack	Cardiac Arrest
What happens	Blocked blood flow to the heart muscle	Sudden stop in heart function
Heartbeat	Usually continues	Stops completely or becomes abnormal
Consciousness	Usually alert (may vary)	Sudden loss of consciousness
Breathing	May be normal or short	Stops completely
Emergency level	Very serious, needs fast treatment	Extremely critical, needs CPR and defibrillation immediately
Outcome if untreated	Heart damage, possibly fatal	Fatal within minutes

In short:

A heart attack is like a plumbing issue- the blood flow is blocked.
Cardiac arrest is an electrical issue- the heart suddenly stops.

Can a Heart Attack Lead to Cardiac Arrest?

Yes. A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest. That’s the reason why we should not ignore any heart attack symptoms. If the heart muscle is too damaged, the heart’s rhythm can become chaotic, leading to arrest. But not all cardiac arrests are caused by heart attacks. Other heart related problems can also trigger it.

First Aid Treatment for Heart Attack

Here’s what to do if anyone’s having a heart attack:

Call emergency services immediately- Time is life. Don't wait to see if it goes away.
Keep the person calm- Help them sit down and stay still.
Loosen tight clothing- Make sure they’re comfortable and breathing easily.
Give aspirin if advised- A regular (300 mg) aspirin can help, but only if the person isn’t allergic or at risk of bleeding.
Do not give food or water- This is important in case emergency surgery is needed.
Stay with them until help arrives- Knowing heart attack emergency treatment can help reduce damage to the heart.

First Aid for Cardiac Arrest

This is a life-threatening situation. Act fast:

1. Call emergency services immediately- Get help on the way.

2. Start CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) -

Push hard and fast in the middle of the chest.
Aim for 100–120 compressions per minute.
Let the chest rise completely between compressions

3. Rescue Breaths (Pulmonary Resuscitation)

Tilt the head back and lift the chin
Pinch the nose shut, make a complete seal over the mouth
Give 2 slow breaths, watching for chest rise
Continue cycles of 30 compressions + 2 breaths

4. Use an Automated External Defibrillator or AED if available-

Turn it on and follow the voice instructions.
AEDs are often found in malls, offices, gyms, and airports.

5. Continue CPR- Keep doing CPR until help arrives or the person starts moving. Fast action with CPR and defibrillation can double or even triple the chance of survival.

Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest- Which is more dangerous?

Both heart attack and cardiac arrest are serious. However, cardiac arrest is usually more dangerous as it causes death within minutes if not treated immediately. A heart attack gives you some time to respond, though delays can still be deadly. So, cardiac arrest is more immediately life-threatening, but both need urgent medical attention.

What Puts You at Risk?

Many of the same risk factors increase the risk factors to both conditions:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Smoking
Diabetes
Obesity
Family history of heart disease
Sedentary lifestyle
Stress
Excess alcohol

Regular heart check-ups can help catch the early signs and lower the risk of heart conditions.

How Can You Prevent Them?

Here’s how you can take care you’re your heart:

Eat heart-healthy foods- Eat what is good for your heart, like more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Try to cut down on salt, sugar and fried foods.
Stay active- Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days with cycling, brisk walking, or jogging.
Don’t smoke. Quitting makes a big difference.
Limit alcohol. Keep it moderate.
Manage stress. Try yoga, deep breathing, or talking to someone.
Monitor your health. Get regular tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar.

Conclusion

Knowing the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest isn’t just medical knowledge, it’s lifesaving awareness. These two heart emergencies may seem similar, but they affect the body in very different ways and need different responses. A heart attack gives you a warning. Cardiac arrest does not. Therefore, it's crucial to recognise the early symptoms, act quickly, and be prepared with basic first aid steps. The more we understand our heart and how it works, the better we can care for it.

Don’t wait for an emergency to take action. If you or a loved one notices any symptoms or may be at risk for a heart attack or cardiac arrest, speak to your doctor without delay. For expert care and heart-related support, you can also visit Manipal Hospitals, Salt Lake.