Cardiac arrest and heart attack explained as serious conditions aren't the same
12.05.2023 - 17:07
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Health experts want people to know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest - as three in 10 adults think the conditions are the same.
The concerning finding comes from a survey of 2,000 adults by Resuscitation Council UK. While both medical emergencies impact the heart, their causes, symptoms, and treatments differ.
The study also found that many wrongly believe there is a 50/50 chance of surviving a cardiac arrest, but nine in 10 of cases that occur outside hospitals result in death - as it's the more serious of the two. Over three quarters of those surveyed don't realise that it's more urgent than a heart attack.
While a heart attack occurs when blood flow to the organ's muscles is blocked, cardiac arrest is when a person's heart stops pumping blood around the body, which stops the breathing. When the latter happens, the sufferer is clinically dead, but both require prompt medical intervention.
While a heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, the two conditions are not synonymous. Here's what you should know, as reported by Wales Online.
Cardiac arrest and heart attack are two distinct medical conditions related to the heart, although they are often confused with each other.
Knowing the difference between the two is important as it can help boost chances of survival.
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating, leading to the loss of blood flow to the body and brain.
It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. During cardiac arrest, the electrical system of the heart malfunctions, causing the heart to stop pumping blood effectively.
This can result in a person becoming unresponsive, not breathing normally, and having no pulse.
A heart attack, also known as a