Are cardiac arrest and heart attack the same thing? 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However, they are not the same thing. A heart attack involves an interruption in the blood supply to the heart. It may lead to cardiac arrest, which is when the heart stops pumping. The American Heart Association (AHA) describes the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest as a circulation issue compared with an electrical problem. With a heart attack, a blocked artery prevents blood flow to the part of the heart that the artery serves. This causes that part of the heart to begin to die. With a cardiac arrest, the heart has an electrical malfunction and stops beating suddenly. This article explains the differences between a heart attack, cardiac arrest, and heart failure. It also discusses the symptoms of each and explains what to do in an emergency. What is a cardiac arrest Share on PinterestGetty Images windcatcher/Getty ImagesA cardiac arrest happens suddenly, usually without warning, when the heart stops pumping blood around the body. A person can fall unconscious and die within minutes if they do not receive immediate treatment. Many cardiac arrests occur because a person has had a heart attack, which causes an abnormal heart rhythm, known as arrhythmia. A common cause of cardiac arrest is an arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation (VFib). VFib happens when the heart’s electrical circuitry becomes chaotic. Instead of beating, the heart fibrillates, meaning that it quivers. Symptoms of a cardiac arrest In most cases, the first symptom of a cardiac arrest is loss of consciousness. Sometimes, a person experiences warning signs of a cardiac arrest within the hour before the cardiac arrest. Warning signs include:racing heartbeatlightheadedness or dizzinesschest painshortness of breathnauseavomiting If someone has already had a cardiac arrest, they may be:not breathing or breathing abnormallymaking gasping soundsunconsciousunresponsive If a bystander tries to find a pulse, they will not be able to locate one. Cardiac arrest What to do in an emergency Cardiac arrest is an emergency, and witnesses should take immediate action. If more than one person is available, one should begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while the other calls 911 and looks for an automated external defibrillator (AED). AEDs are programmed to give an electric shock to the heart if they detect a dangerous heart rhythm, such as VFib. It is often possible to find an AED mounted on the exterior of prominent public buildings or inside buildings such as shopping malls, schools, hotels, and grocery stores. Defibrillation with an AED must happen within seconds to minutes of a person having a cardiac arrest, as their chance of surviving decreases rapidly with time. Learn how to perform CPR. What is a heart attack In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds. A heart attack happens when there is an interruption in the blood supply to the heart. This usually happens when a blood clot blocks one of the coronary arteries. The heart still pumps blood around the body, but the part of the heart that usually receives blood from the blocked artery begins to die. A heart attack can cause serious damage to the heart and be fatal. The most common cause of heart attack is coronary artery disease (CAD), in which the artery walls become clogged with atheroma, a buildup of fatty deposits. If a piece of atheroma breaks off, a clot forms around it, which can block the blood flow. Symptoms of a heart attack Although the symptoms of a heart attack can appear suddenly, this is not always the case. Some people’s symptoms are mild and gradual, developing over days to weeks. The symptoms can differ between the sexes and even among heart attacks in the same person. However, typical symptoms of a heart attack include:chest pain or discomfortheavy or burning pain that spreads to one or both arms or the back, neck, jaw, or stomachshortness of breathlightheadednessnauseaa rapid or irregular heartbeatsweating Some people may experience a silent heart attack, which is one that happens either without symptoms or with very mild symptoms. According to one estimate, silent heart attacks account for almost 50% of heart attacks. Being older and having conditions that cause nerve damage, such as diabetes, can affect how a person experiences pain. As a result, a person may have a heart attack without feeling pain. Learn how to spot and treat a heart attack. Heart attack What to do in an emergency If a person thinks that they or the person they are with is having a heart attack, they should maximize the chance of a good outcome by:calling 911 immediatelysitting down and staying calmchewing and swallowing 325 milligrams of aspirin, if possiblewaiting for the emergency medical services (EMS) The AHA suggests calling an ambulance rather than going by car to the emergency room (ER), as EMS staff can begin treatment as soon as they reach the person. Individuals arriving at the ER by ambulance will, therefore, usually receive treatment sooner than those arriving by car. The quicker a person receives treatment, the better their outlook. What is heart failure A person with heart failure has a weakened heart that cannot pump blood around the body properly. The heart can sustain damage during a heart attack or as a result of high blood pressure. The symptoms of heart failure include:shortness of breathfatigueswelling in the ankles and feetbloatingexercise intoleranceshortness of breath when lying down With the right medication and lifestyle changes, a person with heart failure can live a normal, active life. Learn about congestive heart failure. Risk factors The most significant risk factor for cardiac arrest is having CAD, a history of heart attack, or heart failure. A person with CAD may have no symptoms before experiencing cardiac arrest or a heart attack. Sometimes, people have silent heart attacks before they experience cardiac arrest. The following factors increase a person’s risk of cardiac arrest and heart attack: Age: The risk increases with age.Sex: The risk of cardiac arrest is higher for males.Race: African American people have an increased risk of cardiac arrest. At particular risk are those with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure. Additional risk factors for cardiac arrest and heart attack include:a personal or family medical history of cardiac arresta personal or family medical history of inherited disorders that may cause arrhythmias or cardiomyopathy drug use disorderalcohol use disorderheart failuretobacco smokinghigh blood cholesterolhigh blood pressurephysical inactivityobesitydiabetesstressa nonnutritious dietan electrolyte imbalancekidney failure Complications Heart attack and cardiac arrest can lead to complications that range from mild to fatal. Heart attack complications If a person does not get treatment for a heart attack, it can cause cardiac arrest. People may also experience the following complications after a heart attack:arrhythmiaheart failurecardiogenic shockheart rupture Cardiac arrest complications If a person does not get immediate treatment following a cardiac arrest, it can lead to permanent brain and organ injury or disability. It can even be fatal. The risk increases the longer the delay in restoring a heart rhythm and blood flow. During cardiac arrest, the brain can become starved of oxygen, leading to long-term effects that include:personality changes memory problemsfatigueproblems with speech and languagedizziness balance issuesinvoluntary movementspermanent brain injury People often have no memory of having a cardiac arrest. Outlook People who survive a heart attack have a higher chance of experiencing another one. About 200,000 people each year have a subsequent heart attack. With the right medication and lifestyle changes, people can reduce the likelihood of a subsequent heart attack. The AHA notes that out of the 350,000 or so people who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year, fewer than 12% of people will survive and go home. CPR can double or triple the chances of survival. Summary Both heart attack and cardiac arrest are medical emergencies. A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart becomes blocked. A person will usually remain conscious during a heart attack unless it is very severe. It is essential to call 911 immediately so that a person can receive treatment. A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest. A cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops pumping blood without warning, causing a person to fall unconscious. It is vital to call 911 immediately, give the person CPR, and use an AED to deliver an electric shock to the heart. A person can manage their risk factors for both events by adopting lifestyle changes and taking medication as a doctor has prescribed it. Last medically reviewed on April 19, 2022ArrhythmiaHeart DiseaseCardiovascular / Cardiology 17 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.About cardiac arrest. (2021).https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/about-cardiac-arrestBenjamin, E. J., et al. (2017). Heart disease and stroke statistics - 2017 update.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5408160/Cardiac arrest. (2019).https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiac-arrestCardiac arrest: Causes and risk factors. (n.d.).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cardiac-arrest/causes-and-risk-factorsCardiac arrest: Symptoms. (n.d.).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cardiac-arrest/symptomsCardiac arrest vs. heart attack. (n.d.).https://cpr.heart.org/en/resources/cardiac-arrest-vs-heart-attackCPR is key to survival of sudden cardiac arrest. 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(2016).https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/understand-your-risks-to-prevent-a-heart-attackWhat is a heart attack? (n.d.).https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/your-heart/heart-conditions/about-heart-attacks#topFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Dr. Payal Kohli, M.D., FACC — By Hana Ames on April 19, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageEverything you need to know about heart diseaseMedically reviewed by Dr. Payal Kohli, M.D., FACC Heart disease is a major cause of death. 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