Heart Attack vs. Sudden Cardiac Arrest

It's a common misconception that heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest are the same thing. In fact, the two conditions are quite different.

Heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when part of the heart's blood supply is reduced or blocked, causing the heart muscle to become injured or die. Victims may complain of various symptoms such as:

• Mild intermittent chest discomfort that lasts a few minutes and comes and goes over a
  period of days
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms that spreads to the shoulders, upper back, neck,
  jaw and gums
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea, sweating, lightheadedness
• A general sense of anxiety
• A tendency to deny that anything serious is happening.

Women sometimes experience additional symptoms such as:
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Weakness and fatigue
• Swelling of the ankles and lower legs.

When someone has a heart attack, they are responsive and their heart is beating. It's important to act right away to maximize the odds of survival and minimize permanent damage to the heart. Bystanders should call 911 and have the person lie down and rest until EMS arrives.

While heart attack is often described as a "plumbing problem," sudden cardiac arrest is more of an "electrical problem" that prevents the heart from functioning effectively. Heart attacks can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, but there are many other causes as well, including congenital and electrophysiological abnormalities, severe heart failure, electrocution, and drug overdose.

In contrast, when sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the heart stops beating altogether. As a result, blood is no longer pumped throughout the body, including the brain. The person suddenly passes out, loses consciousness, and appears lifeless -- except for abnormal gasping, which may last several minutes. Sometimes victims experience seizure activity at the onset of the event.

The sudden cardiac arrest victim is not awake and the heart is not beating. If no one provides immediate help, the victim will die within minutes.

When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, it is critically important for bystanders to call 911, give CPR, and use the nearest AED.

This is lifesaving care that anyone can provide. While it is best to be trained in CPR and the use of AEDs, even without formal training, bystanders can call 911, follow dispatcher instructions, push hard and fast on the center of the victim's chest, and follow the directions on the AED while waiting for EMS to arrive.

Sometimes people hesitate to help because they are afraid they might do something wrong and hurt the victim. But since the cardiac arrest victim is clinically dead and cannot get any worse, bystander actions can only help. In addition, state and federal Good Samaritan laws provide protection to bystanders who render aid to sudden cardiac arrest victims in good faith.
  
For more information, visit http://www.sca-aware.org.