Cardiac arrest vs heart attack: 41-year-old Rohan Mirchandani, founder of popular Greek yogurt brand Epigamia, died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday. Following his death, Drums Food International Pvt Ltd, which owns the healthy eating brand known for its flavoured yoghurt and juices, issued a statement requesting the media and the public to respect the privacy of Mirchandani’s family during this difficult time.
With Mirchandani’s death, the growing number of young deaths due to heart issues has come under spotlight again. It is noteworthy that Indians are genetically more prone to developing heart disease. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, as per the World Health Organization (WHO).
What is cardiac arrest?
Cardiac arrest, an extremely serious heart condition, happens suddenly and often without warning. According to Heart.org, cardiac arrest happens when an electrical failure in the heart causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
The heart can’t pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. This causes a person to lose consciousness and a pulse. The person can die if they don’t receive help within minutes.
People often associated cardiac arrest with heart attack, however, heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest are two different conditions.
What is difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack?
A heart attack and cardiac arrest are both serious medical emergencies, however they are different conditions. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. According to Heart.org, a heart attack is a circulation problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem.
In case of heart attack, a blocked artery stops blood from reaching a section of the heart. If the blocked artery is not reopened quickly, the part of the heart normally fed by that artery begins to die.
In most cases, the symptoms of a heart attack may be immediate and intense or start slowly with mild symptoms. It’s also possible to have mild symptoms or even no symptoms and still have a heart attack. The heart usually doesn’t stop beating during a heart attack. The heart attack symptoms in women can be different than in men.
In case of cardiac arrest, a person’s heart stops pumping blood around their body and they stop breathing normally. British Heart Foundation reveals that many cardiac arrests in adults happen because of a heart attack. This is because a person who is having a heart attack may develop a dangerous heart rhythm, which can cause a cardiac arrest.
What is the link between cardiac arrest and heart attack?
Although both the heart conditions are different conditions, they are associated with each other. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen after a heart attack or during recovery. Heart attacks increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
It is important to highlight that many heart attacks don’t lead to sudden cardiac arrest right away. However, when sudden cardiac arrest occurs, heart attack is a common cause. Other heart conditions may also disrupt the heart’s rhythm and lead to sudden cardiac arrest. These include:
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart failure
- Arrhythmias, particularly ventricular fibrillation
- Congenital heart defects
- Infections
What to do in case of heart attack?
Call emergency medical contact immediately even if you are not sure that it is a heart attack. People with chest pain who arrive by ambulance will receive faster treatment at the hospital.
What to do in case of cardiac arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death. If you suspect, the person collapsed due to cardiac arrest, you can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival by performing CPR.
For adults:
- Check for responsiveness.
- Shout for help.
- Call emergency medical services.
- Begin CPR and continue until emergency medical services arrive.
- Get an automated external defibrillator if one is available. Use it as soon as it arrives.
- If two people can help, one should begin CPR right away while the other calls emergency medical services.
For children and infants:
- Check to see if something is blocking the airway.
- Call emergency medical services.
- Begin CPR.
- If help is nearby or a cellphone is available, you can call for help and start CPR almost at the same time.
- If you can’t call for help, begin CPR first. Respiratory arrest is the most common cause of cardiac arrest.
- If the child has suddenly collapsed, use an AED. Early defibrillation can be lifesaving.