WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A HEART ATTACK AND CARDIAC ARREST

Published By Livemint | 24 May, 2023
People often confuse a heart attack and cardiac arrest. Here are ways to tell them apart. 
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What is a heart attack?

When there is a blockage in the coronary arteries that supply oxygen to the heart, the heart muscles begin to die. 
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What is a cardiac arrest? 

In the case of a cardiac arrest, the heart actually stops beating, unlike during a heart attack where the heart continues to beat. 
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Symptoms 

Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, wheezing, dizziness and shortness of breath among others.
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Symptoms of a cardiac arrest include a sudden loss of consciousness with no breathing and no pulse. 
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Causes 

A cardiac arrest can be caused due to abnormal heart rhythms, pacemaker failure, choking, drowning or a heart attack among others. 
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Heart attacks are caused by coronary heart disease. People at risk to CHD include smokers, people with high blood pressure, diabetes and other conditions.   
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