What is Worse Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest?

There is a widespread misconception that heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest are similar, if not the same, conditions. However, because both are medical emergencies involving heart health, distinguishing between them is important. A blood clot typically blocks the heart's blood supply during a heart attack, whereas an electrical failure causes the heart to stop beating completely during a sudden cardiac arrest. 

From this, one can easily understand that cardiac arrest is more severe, as it can lead to death within minutes if proper care is not provided.

Furthermore, this blog is being made to dispel the myth that a heart attack and a cardiac arrest are the same thing, as well as to inform readers on which is more fatal. This essay was written using critical information taken from the insights of Dr. Sujay Shad, a prominent heart doctor in Delhi practicing at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. We will determine which of these two conditions is more dangerous. Furthermore, we will go over these conditions, their symptoms, and the reasons for them. Let’s now go right into the details.

Heart Attack: It’s Causes & Symptoms

A heart attack ensues when the flow of blood to the heart from one or more coronary arteries is diminished or blocked. 

Causes: The obstruction is mainly caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the arteries leading to the heart (coronary). Plaques are fatty, cholesterol-containing formations.

Symptoms: Some signs of a heart attack are more common than others. However, most people associate a heart attack with chest pain. However, it's important to remember that not every heart attack presents "classically." In some individuals, particularly women and people assigned female at birth, diabetics and the elderly may also develop "atypical" symptoms with their heart attack. It includes symptoms such as abdominal or back pain or even no symptoms at all.

Among the Symptoms are:

• Angina (a type of chest pain)
• Breathing difficulty
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Indigestion or nausea
• Palpitations in the heart
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.

Cardiac Arrest: It’s Causes & Symptoms

Cardiac arrest is a potentially life-threatening disorder in which the heart stops beating. The heart is no longer pumping blood. This puts the organs and the entire body at risk of death within minutes. They must be supplied with oxygen at all times. The oxygen is delivered via blood.

Causes: The majority of abrupt cardiac arrests are caused by abnormal heart rhythms known as arrhythmias. Ventricular fibrillation is the most frequent life-threatening arrhythmia. This is characterized by unpredictable, disorganized impulse firing from the heart's ventricles (bottom chambers). When this occurs, the heart becomes unable to pump blood. One could die in minutes if one does not receive treatment.

Other causes of cardiac arrest include:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart problems that are present from birth
• Changes in the structure of the heart are caused by disease or infection
• Excessive physical exertion or blood loss.

Symptoms of cardiac arrest may include:

• Fainting
• Chest discomfort
• Breathing difficulty
• Vomiting and nausea
• Palpitations in the heart
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.

Difference B/w Heart Attack & Cardiac Arrest

A heart attack can be fatal. Plaque usually clogs the arteries that supply blood to the heart. The heart's muscle tissue can begin to die if it is deprived of oxygen and nourishment. The goal is to get blood flowing back to the heart as soon as possible; otherwise, a heart attack can cause irreversible damage and even death. 

In contrast, the heart begins racing in a confused, disorganized manner after cardiac arrest. Almost immediately, blood ceases to circulate. One falls unconscious, ceases breathing, and has no pulse. The brain begins to die from a lack of oxygen and blood flow unless the heartbeat is restored as soon as possible. According to Cleveland Clinic research, less than 10% of persons who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest survive. 

What is Worse, Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest

The information provided above makes it clear that cardiac arrests are more life threatening than heart attacks. Heart attacks do not cause the heart to cease fully beating, as it does during a cardiac arrest. Furthermore, a cardiac arrest necessitates prompt medical attention. Because a lack of timely medical assistance might result in death within minutes, a heart attack still has a possibility of survival. 

In addition, the treatment for heart attack includes medications and surgical procedures such as Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and Coronary angioplasty and stenting. Some doctors also suggest cardiac rehabilitation. However, the treatments for cardiac arrest involve Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), Coronary angioplasty, Coronary artery bypass surgery, Radiofrequency catheter ablation, and Corrective heart surgery. 

Note: The expert heart surgeon determines the best treatment options after a thorough examination of the patient’s condition. 

Conclusion

Both a heart attack and a cardiac arrest are serious heart disorders. If one is experiencing any difficulties that reflect indications of either of the two diseases, one should seek immediate medical attention.

In such instances, one can seek the advice of Dr. Sujay Shad, a renowned heart surgeon and transplant specialist. The skilled surgeon is a pioneer in the field of heart surgery. He provides superior care to his patients based on his extensive experience spanning more than three decades. He is well-known for doing successful procedures such as coronary bypass surgery, aortic surgery, heart valve surgery, septal myectomy for HOCM, and many more. One can visit the surgeon to learn more about these surgeries and their expenses, such as the bypass surgery cost in Delhi at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.