What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?
On many occasions, words like “heart attack” (heart attack) and “cardiac arrest” are used as synonyms when referring to these conditions; however, they have different causes, as was the case with NFL player Damar Hamlin.
In some cases, the second can even occur as a consequence of the first, but the two terms do not have the same meaning.
A heart attack (infarct) is caused by a failure of blood and oxygen supply to the heartwhile cardiac arrest occurs due to problems in the internal electrical system of the same organ.
If blood flow to the heart slows or stops, or if the rhythm of the heart is disturbed, the consequences can be fatal. As is known, the human heart is like a car engine, since it is the power source that keeps the body moving.
A heart attack (also called a heart attack, heart attack, or myocardial infarction) is a failure of blood supply to the heart. If treatment is not promptly received, the heart muscle stops pumping and begins to die.
How is it different from cardiac arrest? In heart attacks, the heart continues to beat, but blood flow to the organ is blocked.
A heart attack can occur at any time: when a person is resting or asleep, after a sudden increase in physical activity, when active outside in cold weather, after sudden intense emotional or physical stress, including illness.
The most common cause of heart attacks is coronary artery disease. This is caused by the accumulation of plaque (cholesterol and other cells) on the walls of the arteries. Eventually, an area of the plaque may rupture, forming a blood clot around it and leading to a heart attack.
It may interest you: Know the symptoms of a heart attack while you exercise.
What is a cardiac arrest?
A cardiac arrest is a failure of the internal electrical system of the heart, which controls the rhythm of the heartbeat. Certain problems can cause abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias.
During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too slowly, too fast, or not at all. When the heart develops an arrhythmia where it stops beating, sudden cardiac arrest occurs.
The US National Library of Medicine also notes that causes of cardiac arrest include coronary artery disease, physical stress, and some genetic conditions. But sometimes it is not possible to know the cause.
According to the Texas Heart Institute, the first sign of cardiac arrest is pass out or lose consciousness, which happens when the heart stops beating. Breathing could also stop at this time. Some people may feel dizzy right before they faint.
A person in cardiac arrest should receive medical attention immediatelyOtherwise it will die in a few minutes. There is a better chance of survival if the patient receives defibrillation, electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm. In addition, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be provided until defibrillation is available.
What is the leading cause of death in adults?
There are many types of heart disease, but the most common is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart itself. This is called ischemic heart disease, coronary heart disease, or coronary artery disease, and it develops slowly over time.
In 2016 alone, ischemic heart disease killed more than 9.5 million people, confirming that it is the leading cause of death in the world. In second place, with more than 5 million victims, was the cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
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