First Things First: What’s the Main Difference?

A heart attack is a “circulation” problem — when blood flow to the heart is blocked. A cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem — when the heart suddenly stops beating. One is like a blocked pipe, the other is like a power failure.

Let’s Talk About Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

A heart attack happens when a part of the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. Usually, it’s due to a clot or blockage in the coronary arteries.

Common Signs of Heart Attack:

• Chest pain or tightness (like someone sitting on your chest)
• Pain in arms, neck, jaw, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cold sweat or dizziness
• May start slowly and get worse over time

What is Cardiac Arrest?

Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood. It happens because of a sudden problem in the heart’s electrical system. It’s a medical emergency—within minutes, the person can die if not treated immediately.

Signs of Cardiac Arrest:

• Person suddenly collapses
• Breathing stops or becomes abnormal (gasping)
• No pulse or heartbeat
• Unconsciousness

Are They Connected?

Yes. A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, especially if the damage is severe or the rhythm of the heart is disturbed. But not all heart attacks cause cardiac arrest, and not all cardiac arrests are caused by heart attacks.

How They’re Treated

For Heart Attack:

• Call emergency services immediately: The first and most important step is to get professional help on the way. Every minute matters.
• Give aspirin if safe: If the person is awake, fully conscious, and able to swallow — and not allergic to aspirin — give one adult aspirin (325 mg) or two baby aspirins (81 mg each). Have them chew it for faster absorption. Avoid aspirin if they have a history of serious bleeding, recent stroke, or were told by a doctor not to take it.
• Keep the person calm and still: Ask them to sit or lie in a comfortable position. Avoid unnecessary movement, which can strain the heart further.
• Monitor breathing and responsiveness: If they become unresponsive or stop breathing normally, begin CPR immediately and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available and trained to use one.
• At the hospital: Doctors will confirm a heart attack with ECG and blood tests. They may give clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics), blood thinners, pain relief, and often perform an emergency angioplasty to open the blocked artery.

Important Notes:

• Never drive yourself: If you think you are having a heart attack, call an ambulance. Driving can put you and others at risk if your condition worsens suddenly.
• Don’t delay: Some people wait to “see if it gets better.” This can lead to worse heart damage or death. If chest pain lasts more than 5 minutes or is severe, act fast.
• Don’t give aspirin for chest pain if you suspect bleeding: For example, if the person has vomited blood, has black/tarry stools, or severe unexplained bruising — these could be signs of internal bleeding, and aspirin may worsen it.

For Cardiac Arrest:

• Call emergency services immediately: Shout for help and have someone call an ambulance. If you are alone, call emergency services yourself before starting CPR if possible.
• Check responsiveness and breathing: Gently shake and shout. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing or only gasping, begin CPR right away.
• Start CPR immediately: Place the heel of your hand on the center of the chest, put your other hand on top, and push hard and fast (about 100–120 compressions per minute, at least 5 cm deep) allowing full recoil after each push. Do not stop until help arrives or an AED is ready.
• Use an AED if available: Turn it on, follow its voice instructions, and apply the pads to the chest. The AED will analyze the heart rhythm and tell you if a shock is needed. Deliver the shock if instructed, then continue CPR immediately.
• Hospital treatment: Once in hospital, doctors will stabilize the heart using defibrillation (electric shocks if needed), give medications to support circulation, and provide intensive care to address the cause of the arrest and protect the brain.

Important Notes:

• Do not give anything by mouth: A person in cardiac arrest cannot swallow and giving anything can cause choking.
• Every second counts: Brain damage starts within 4–6 minutes without blood flow. Quick CPR can double or triple survival chances.
• Learn CPR and AED use: Consider taking a certified course. Bystanders with CPR skills are the biggest factor in survival before professional help arrives.

Quick Comparison Table

What to Compare	Heart Attack	Cardiac Arrest
Cause	Blocked blood flow to heart	Electrical failure in heart
Heart Beats?	Yes, usually still beating	No, heart stops
Symptoms	Chest pain, breathlessness	Sudden collapse, no pulse
Consciousness	Usually conscious	Unconscious within seconds
Emergency Action	Rush to hospital, ECG	Call ambulance, do CPR

Final Word

Knowing the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest can save a life—maybe yours or someone else’s. Both are serious, but they need very different actions. If someone collapses and isn’t breathing, don’t wait—start CPR and call for help.

Illustration credit: Image by pch.vector on Freepik ↗