Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest – people often take these terms as one or interchange them. While a heart attack, which is also known as myocardial infarction or MI, develops when the blood flow to the heart is blocked mainly due to a blood clot, cardiac arrest is sudden, unexpected malfunctioning of the heart. Without any prompt involvement, cardiac arrest can lead to death.
The good thing is that a person with a heart attack can survive. However, in some cases, it is fatal as well.
What is Heart Attack?
A heart attack is a serious medical condition in which a blocked coronary artery blocks the blood from coming to the heart. If the artery blockage is not treated timely, then it may prevent the particular section of the heart from getting nourished.
From mild to severe, its symptoms develop slowly over a period of time before a heart attack. Unlike cardiac arrest, the heart doesn’t abruptly stop in the heart attack.
Heart Attack is a ‘Circulation’ Problem!
The above saying truly goes with the fact that the plaque deposits around the arteries stop the blood to circulate to and from the heart. This is known as coronary artery disease leading to a severe heart attack.
The Heart Attack Symptoms are different in Women than Men!
Yes, it has been found that women exhibit different signs before a heart attack as compared to men. While a man experiences heaviness on his chest as a signal, upper body discomfort or an irregular heartbeat, a woman feels unexpected, unusual fatigue, tiredness, anxiety or sleep disturbances.
In a recent survey conducted on 515 women who experienced severe fatigue or anxiety rather than chest pain as a heart attack signal. Approximately 80 percent of women experience the following symptoms before a heart attack:
- Sudden, severe fatigue
- Sleeping problem
- Anxiety
- Lightheadedness
- Breathing problem
- Jaw pain
- Indigestion or gastric problem
- Pain in upper back, shoulder or throat
Women who experience a heart attack have lesser chances to remain alive as compared to men. Therefore, if a woman faces any of the above-mentioned symptoms, then rush to the nearest hospital as quick as she can!
Cardiac Arrest is an ‘Electrical’ Issue!
When a person has experienced a heart attack, then he has a higher risk to suffer from a cardiac arrest. It is basically an electrical problem as the heart abruptly stops pumping blood to the blood. It happens because of electrical dysfunctionality in the heart muscle. Irregular heartbeat in the lower chamber of the heart indicates the onset of cardiac arrest. Rapid electric impulses cause shaking of the heart ventricles instead of pumping blood resulting in cardiac arrest.
When the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, it stops blood circulation to the brain, lungs and other organs making person unresponsive within seconds.
Which is the best cardiac hospital in India?
India is a hub of affordable medical treatment due to many factors. When it comes to one’s health especially in case of heart patients, it is important to get the best treatment. There are several
best cardiology hospitals in India with highly-skilled and well-experienced specialists, facilitated with the latest technology, types of equipment and more!Final Thoughts: Heart attack is a common cause of Cardiac Arrest!
Although these two heart conditions are completely different. However, they are connected. All heart attacks don’t lead to cardiac arrest, some of them result in cardiac arrest even during the recovery phase. Arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, ventricular fibrillation may also lead to cardiac arrest. Always remember fast action saves lives. Every minute matters. Therefore, call emergency response number if you find anyone with such signs or symptoms.