A heart attack and cardiac arrest are both serious heart conditions, but they are not the same. A heart attack happens when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked due to a clot or buildup of fat and cholesterol in the arteries.

This blockage prevents oxygen from reaching the heart muscle, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, and discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw, or back. A person having a heart attack is usually conscious and may experience warning signs hours or even days before it happens. However, the heart does not stop beating during a heart attack.

On the other hand, cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating. It happens because of an electrical problem in the heart that causes it to stop pumping blood to the brain and other organs.

As a result, the person collapses, loses consciousness, and stops breathing. Cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and without warning. If immediate medical help is not given, it can be fatal within minutes. The best way to help someone in cardiac arrest is by performing CPR (chest compressions) and using a defibrillator to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.

A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, but they are different conditions. While a heart attack is a circulation problem, cardiac arrest is an electrical problem.

Both need urgent medical attention, but cardiac arrest requires immediate life-saving actions like CPR. Seeking early treatment for heart disease can help prevent both conditions.