The heart is the most important organ of our body which continuously pumps blood to deliver oxygen and essential nutrients to every part of the body. This process also helps in removing waste materials like carbon dioxide from the body. In such a situation, when the heart does not function properly, it affects the entire body. Often people consider heart attack and cardiac arrest to be the same. But according to medical science, these two are different conditions. Both can be fatal. But their causes, symptoms and effects are different. In such a situation, let us tell you today what is the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack and which of the two is more dangerous?

What is heart attack?

Heart attack which is called myocardial infarction in medical language. This happens when there is blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This blockage usually occurs due to accumulation of cholesterol and fat. When blood does not reach the heart muscle, that part gradually starts getting damaged. If timely treatment is not received, this damage can be serious.

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Common symptoms of heart attack

Common symptoms of heart attack include pressure or tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, cold sweat, dizziness, nausea or vomiting and pain in the jaw, neck, arms or back. In many cases, heart attack symptoms may be mild or increase slowly. Therefore, ignoring them can be dangerous.

What is cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest is a sudden serious condition in which the heartbeat stops suddenly. This happens due to disturbances in the electrical system of the heart. When the heart stops beating properly, blood stops reaching vital organs of the body like the brain and lungs. Due to this, the person can become unconscious immediately and breathing can also stop. However, if treatment is not received within a few minutes, this condition can also be fatal.

Main differences between heart attack and cardiac arrest

Heart attack is a problem related to blood flow, in which blood is not able to reach the heart. Cardiac arrest is a problem of the electrical system of the heart, in which the heart stops beating. According to experts, both these conditions are medical emergencies, but cardiac arrest is considered more dangerous. Because in this the person becomes unconscious within a few minutes and the heart can stop completely. Whereas in heart attack, after symptoms appear, some time may be available for treatment, but delay here too can be fatal.

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