Author: Leslie Toldo
The heart’s main job is to pump blood throughout the body, but when that blood flow is interrupted, it can have deadly consequences - a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction) or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Both conditions are related to a lack of blood flow, but their causes are very different.
Cardiac arrest is caused by a sudden electrical failure in the heart that triggers an abnormal rhythm. The heart suddenly stops and no longer pumps blood into the brain or other vital organs. When this occurs, the person goes unconscious, and if not treated within minutes, they can die.
“This often happens without warning, or with very subtle symptoms, like heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or dizziness,” said McLaren Flint cardiologist Dr. James Chambers. “Sudden cardiac arrest can also be the first symptom of an underlying condition.”
Heart attacks are caused by a circulation issue - meaning blood flow to part of the heart is cut off or reduced. While there are several possible causes, typically it happens because one or more of the arteries to the heart are blocked. If blood flow is not restarted quickly, the affected part of the heart can begin to die. The longer the loss of blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart.
“Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) can also lead to complications like abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, heart valve issues, stroke, or even sudden cardiac arrest,” Dr. Chambers said.
Heart attacks can be linked to atherosclerosis - the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply the heart, blood clots, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, stress, and smoking.
Cardiac arrest comes on suddenly, but a heart attack can either be immediate and intense or start slowly. One in five heart attacks is silent. The primary symptom of cardiac arrest is loss of consciousness, but a heart attack can have any number of symptoms, including:
- Shortness of breath (more common in women than men)
- Extreme fatigue
- Back, jaw, or arm pain
- Stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting
- Chest pain (more common in men than woman)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
“Either condition is a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment,” said Dr. Chambers, “but these two conditions are treated differently.”
The main goal with cardiac arrest is to get the heart beating again with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
“Minutes matter when an acute myocardial infarction occurs as well,” Dr. Chambers said. “There are several options to treat heart attack, but the primary goal is to restore blood flow to the heart. Surgical procedures, oxygen, and drugs are all important tools we use to treat these patients.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 800,000 people will suffer a heart attack this year, around 350,000 will go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital.
The key to saving more lives is education - for everyone. Knowing CPR can save a life, as can knowing the warning signs of heart attack and taking immediate action when you suspect either condition.
There are steps you can take to lower your risk:
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Get regular cardiovascular exercise.
- Schedule regular heart checkups with your doctor.
- Monitor with ECG and stress tests.
- Have a sleep study to determine whether you have a condition like sleep apnea.
To learn more about McLaren Flint’s comprehensive cardiac care program visit mclaren.org/flintheart.