Though the terms cardiac arrest and heart attack are used interchangeably by some, they’re not the same thing. However, both are serious and require immediate medical attention. Knowing the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest vs. heart attack can help you save someone else’s life or your own.

Sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem in the heart that causes an irregular heart rhythm, and it very suddenly shuts down blood flow to the heart. A person experiencing cardiac arrest has no pulse and falls unconscious. A heart attack, on the other hand, is a plumbing issue when blood can’t get through an artery that leads directly to the heart. It’s caused by a blockage in the artery that must be opened to stop any further heart muscle damage. Both can be fatal, so call 911 immediately if you or someone else shows any signs or symptoms of heart attack or cardiac arrest.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Heart attack signs and symptoms can be subtle and vary person to person. The amount of damage to the heart increases as long as a heart attack is allowed to progress, so minutes matter most. Here’s a list of general symptoms to be look for:

• Chest pain or discomfort that’s a feeling of pressure or squeezing in the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and keeps coming back.
• Pain or discomfort in either or both arms, jaw, stomach, or back
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Feeling faint, nauseous and/or breaking out in a cold sweat

Defining Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest, or sudden cardiac arrest, is when the heart suddenly stops beating because of an electrical glitch in the heart. Blood can’t reach major organs like the lungs and brain. A person experiencing cardiac arrest will be unconscious and have no pulse.

Take a local CPR class and ask about automated external defibrillator (AED). AEDs save lives, and though they’re simple to use, some training on how to use them is helpful for when there’s an emergency.

When cardiac arrest occurs, follow these steps:

1. Call 911.
2. Begin CPR.
3. If there is an AED unit available, open it and turn it on.
4. Follow the AED’s verbal instructions carefully. It will talk you through how to use it correctly, step by step.

Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack: The Connection

There is a connection: Heart attacks can lead to sudden cardiac arrest if they’re not treated in time. If someone has previously experienced a heart attack, they’re at a higher risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Heart conditions that have not been identified, such as coronary artery disease – coronary arteries are either blocked or damaged, limiting blood flow to the heart, are often the underlying cause of heart attack and/or cardiac arrest. High blood pressure can also be a precursor to heart disease.

Keeping up with yearly physicals and recommended testing can also help identify a heart condition that could lead to medical emergencies, such as a heart attack or cardiac arrest.