Though many medical issues and emergencies loom large and terrifying in our thoughts, two of the most terrifying are heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest. But understanding what each of them looks like and what to do if they happen can make them less scary and give you the power to save lives, maybe even your own. When it comes to cardiac arrest and a heart attack, here’s what you need to know.
Dr. Jossef Amirian, a cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology in New York City, says that “sudden cardiac arrest” is when a person’s heart stops beating or pumping. There are two main indicators that virtually always happen when someone has a heart attack. The victim usually falls down and doesn’t respond to shaking or yelling, and they don’t breathe. Dr. Amirian said that cardiac arrest nearly always happens without warning; therefore, there won’t be any signs or symptoms before it happens.
Dr. Amirian states, “A heart attack is a medical emergency that happens when blood flow to the heart muscle is severely reduced or blocked.” People usually have some clear signs before a heart attack, unlike with sudden cardiac arrest. In some circumstances, heart attack and cardiac arrest have the same risk factors. If someone has a heart attack, their heart may suddenly stop beating. In this situation, they have many of the same risk factors, such as coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome, a history of smoking, and a family history of heart disease. Read the article.
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