Learn the key differences among cardiac arrest, heart attack and stroke! Must Read!


Because they are serious matters and every one might experience them, it is really necessary for you to be familiar with the main differences among cardiac arrest, heart attack and smoke. Each and every one of us should be aware of what really they are, what are the risk factors that they have, and how can actually a person can prevent or lower the risk of suffering from any of them. Read and be informed!

CARDIAC ARREST: A Problem Concerning the Electrical System of the Heart!

-Cardiac arrest happens when the muscle of the heart suddenly stop beating due to its malfunctioning.

-It is triggered by the electrical system of the heart that has gone out of order which actually leads to arrhythmia or the irregular heartbeat and it even complete cessation of the pumping of the heart.

-A person who suffers from cardiac arrest and failed to have instant treatment might die in just few minutes. When the heart doesn’t have the ability to pump enough blood in the body, the supply of the oxygen to several parts of the body most especially the brain will be disordered that can result to cellular death.

-It shows signs that includes gasping, hard to breath and unresponsiveness.

-In the United States, experts have said that there are almost 360,000 cases of cardiac arrest that happens outside the hospital each year.

-The risk factors that it has include age, gender, family history, coronary heart disease, history of arrhythmias, smoking and drug or alcohol abuse.

HEART ATTACK: A Problem with the Supply of Blood to the Heart

-Heart attack happens when the one or two areas of the heart have failed to acquire oxygen due to the limit of blood flow.

-It is due to the blockage of an artery which supplies blood to the heart that works to pump enough blood in the entire body. The blockage is also due to the plaque and cholesterol accumulation in the inner arterial wall or it can be caused by a blood clot that made its way to the vessel which supplies blood to the heart.

-An instant treatment is extremely necessary for a person who suffers from a heart attack. The more postponed the treatment will become, the grander the damage will be.

-Heart attack shows symptoms which include pressure, tightness or clasping feeling in the chest, pain that releases to the arms, shoulders, upper back and jaw, find it hard to breath, cold sweats, nausea and even anxiety. Some women who are suffering from heart attack may come across with minor symptoms or even nothing at all.

-Not like cardiac arrest, the heart doesn’t actually stops beating during a heart attack.

-The risk factors that it has include age, gender, family history, high blood pressure, obesity, stress, an inactive lifestyle or even poor diet.

STROKE: A Problem Concerning the Interruption or Severe Reduction of Blood Supply to the Brain

-Stroke happens when the part of the brain have failed to get enough oxygen that is needed due to the interruption or severe reduction of the flow of the blood to this organ.

-It is due to a blood clot that has made its way to one of the blood vessels that can be found in the brain. When it gets stuck, the supply of the blood will be stopped. There is also a thing that is known as hemorrhagic stroke or the overflowing or the leaking of blood vessels which supplies blood to the brain.

-It is considered as a medical emergency and an immediate treatment can help to save the life of the person who is suffering from stroke and it can also prevent the complications that include paralysis or weakness of the other side of the body.

-Stroke shows symptoms which include unexpected severe headache without any triggering factor, dizziness, loss of balance, confusion, trouble with talking and coldness or weakness of the face or the other side of the body.

-In the United States, stroke is considered as the foremost cause of long term and serious disability.

-The risk factors that it has include age, gender, family history, race, prior stroke or temporary ischemic attack or TIA, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, alcoholism, obesity and some blood issues.