How is Cardiac Arrest Different from A Heart Attack?
The difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest might not sound intelligible. However, there is a discernable difference between the two. A heart attack, also referred to as Myocardial Infarction (MI) is caused due to inadequate blood flow to a particular area of the heart leading to muscle damage. The most common cause of a heart attack is clogged arteries due to cholesterol-induced plaque that leads to a clot that obstructs the vessels. On the other hand, electrical failures cause the heart to beat rapidly or even stop, which is known as a cardiac arrest. Since the organs of the body including the brain don’t receive blood supply, the concerned person might feel out of breath, losing consciousness within a few seconds.
The Relation: A heart attack often becomes the reason for a cardiac arrest; cardiac arrest can happen during the recovery phase of a heart attack as well, but the opposite is highly unlikely. Apart from a heart attack, extreme potassium imbalance, magnesium, drug overdose, a clot in the lungs or heart failure might lead to cardiac arrest. You are advised to get a spirometry machine online to reduce the risk of lung problems leading to a heart attack.
The Magnitude: It is a fact that some heart attacks are more detrimental to the health of individuals than others. The extent of the damage caused by the heart attack can be checked with the help of an MRI machine or ECG machine. Doctors affirm that a large heart attack, as they call it, might reduce the heart’s squeezing strength. Some heart attacks lead to instant deaths, the main reason for which is a blockage near the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. The blood supply to the heart is largely dependent on this artery and any heart attack involving this one can turn out to be fatal.
What to do – Heart Attack: Irrespective of what the concerned person is going through, you must call an ambulance without delay if you notice any symptoms of a heart attack or cardiac arrest. You can perform the Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) procedure as the ambulance arrives. The emergency medical services staff is proficient in providing an elementary treatment for revival.
What to do – Cardiac Arrest: If the patient gets immediate treatment, he or she may recover in most cases. Again, you are advised to call for an ambulance without delay and use an automated external defibrillator. You must perform CPR and continue until the ambulance arrives. If you or one of your family members suffers from diseases of the heart, you must accustom yourself to emergency procedures and keep them in mind lest such a situation arrive. ECG machine prices online are very attractive for a prospective buyer; one should definitely consider an ECG machine for home use if the patient is advised regular monitoring of the heart rate. Many patients survive heart attacks, if not cardiac arrests because they do the right things like not applying any pressure on the chest during a heart attack. The first step, however, is to recognize a heart attack as you might not even notice it.
