Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest: What You Need to Know to Stay Heart-Smart

First, it was Christian Eriksen, who collapsed on the field during a Euro 2020 match due to a cardiac arrest. Then, it was Sidharth Shukla, the 40-year-old Indian TV star, who died of a heart attack in 2021, leaving fans and the industry in shock. 

With young people and celebrities facing sudden heart issues, you might be wondering, "Could this happen to me?" Understanding the signs and caring for your heart has never been more important. Recognising the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest could save your life or someone close to you.

Even though heart attacks and cardiac arrests share risk factors, their root causes differ. 

• A heart attack occurs because of an obstruction to blood circulation. 
• A cardiac arrest stems from an electrical malfunction in the heart – which quite literally stops or “arrests” the contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle. 

A heart attack might also lead to cardiac arrest because the lack of blood flow can harm the heart muscle and disrupt its electrical signals, causing the heart to stop. However, the reverse is not true. When the heart's electrical system fails, causing the heart to stop beating suddenly, a cardiac arrest occurs. It can happen without any prior heart damage or blockage.

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, we do need to understand the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest to treat them properly. 

When your blood pressure is consistently high, it forces the heart to work harder to pump blood. This extra effort can weaken, enlarge or thicken the heart muscle over time, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks (from the strain on the arteries) and cardiac arrest (from electrical disturbances caused by damage to the heart tissue). Cardiac arrest in adults is primarily triggered by an underlying cardiac event.

The chemicals in cigarettes damage the delicate lining of the arteries, causing them to harden and narrow. This can result in blockages that lead to a heart attack by reducing the blood supply to the heart. Over time, smoking also disrupts the electrical signals in the heart, which can trigger a sudden cardiac arrest.

Without regular physical activity, your heart doesn’t get the workout it needs to stay strong. Inactivity can lead to a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries, constricting them and elevating the risk of a heart attack. 

When cholesterol levels are too high, it can accumulate in the arteries, forming plaques that restrict blood flow. This is a leading cause of heart attacks, as the heart is deprived of oxygen-rich blood. These plaques can also rupture, which could lead to cardiac arrest.
Dr Alok Shah, a Cardiologist in Mumbai, says, “Gradually, fatty deposits can accumulate in the arteries, constricting them and reducing blood flow to vital organs. This condition, called Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), can lead to alarming complications like heart attacks, stroke, severe kidney disease, and even limb gangrene, which might require amputation if left untreated.”

Carrying excess weight puts extra pressure on the heart and blood vessels. Over time, this can cause damage, making it harder for the heart to function properly. Plaque buildup in the arteries becomes more likely, increasing the chance of a heart attack, while the stress on the heart makes it more vulnerable to sudden electrical failure, causing cardiac arrest.

Genetics can influence your likelihood of developing heart disease. If heart issues run in your family, you might inherit a predisposition to high cholesterol or high blood pressure, which increases the risk of both heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

Overindulging in alcohol or drugs can disrupt your heart’s natural rhythm, leading to arrhythmias. Prolonged use can damage the heart muscle, making it more prone to sudden cardiac arrest, and in some cases, it can also contribute to the development of conditions that increase heart attack risk, such as high blood pressure and cardiomyopathy.

The good news is that many of these risk factors can be controlled. Now, let’s understand how these factors affect the structure and function of the heart. 

Heart disease is closely tied to the choices we make every day. The foods you eat, how active you are, and how you manage stress all contribute to your heart’s overall health. The best part? Even small improvements to your routine can make a big difference.

• What foods help prevent heart attacks?
  Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These help lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart attacks.
• What foods help prevent cardiac arrest? 

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like those found in fish, nuts, and virgin olive oil support heart health and help prevent conditions that may lead to cardiac arrest. These foods help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation.

Cardio-based exercises keep your heart strong and improve blood flow.

High stress levels can elevate blood pressure, putting extra strain on the heart. Stress levels can be managed by regularly doing yoga, meditation, and deep breathing.

Keep tabs on your blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. Regular checkups help catch potential problems early before they become serious.

Recognising when a symptom is more than just a minor issue could be lifesaving. 

• If you have chest pain that lasts over 15 minutes, Don’t ignore it - chest pain that lingers could be a sign of a heart attack. 
• If you suddenly collapse or feel faint
• For women, intermittent neck, jaw, throat, shoulder, upper jaw, or upper abdominal discomfort are the most common heart attack symptoms, often without any noticeable chest pain or with only a mild feeling of acidity.
• If you find it hard to catch your breath or feel unusually weak, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.

Doctors use several tests to figure out whether you're having a heart attack or cardiac arrest, including: 

• Tests that record the heart's electrical activity to identify any irregularities in rhythm or function
• Blood work that measures specific proteins to assess heart muscle damage
• Imaging tests for detailed pictures of the heart's structure and function
• Procedures that visualise blood vessels to detect blockages or narrowing, affecting blood flow to the heart
• Continuous monitoring of the heart

If you're experiencing a heart attack, the main goal is to restore blood flow to the heart as quickly as possible. Afterwards, doctors will monitor your condition and recommend lifestyle changes to prevent future attacks. 

Immediate action is crucial in the case of cardiac arrest. Manual circulation techniques help keep blood flowing, and electrical shocks can restore the heart’s normal rhythm. After stabilisation, care is provided to address underlying causes and prevent future incidents.

Taking preventive steps can significantly reduce your risk of both a heart attack and cardiac arrest. Listen to your body, stay active, and make heart-healthy choices daily.

Here, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions to help clear up any confusion about these life-threatening conditions.

Cardiac arrest is extremely serious, but it doesn’t have to be fatal. Immediate medical attention can help restore the heart’s normal rhythm and improve survival chances. Without quick intervention, however, cardiac arrest is often fatal.

Both are serious, but a cardiac arrest is more immediately life-threatening. A heart attack damages the heart muscle and can lead to long-term issues if untreated, but a cardiac arrest causes the heart to stop entirely, which requires immediate action to prevent death.