A heart attack can come suddenly with little or no advance warning. This is because cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of mortality worldwide and the right response at these moments is utterly important.
Each year, approximately 805,000 people in the U.S. have a heart attack, and unfortunately, about 200,000 of these are fatal. However, quick action can make a significant difference. That’s where CPR certification comes into play.
Knowing how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can increase a person’s chance of survival by up to 40%. And, even knowing the difference between a heart attack vs cardiac arrest can make all the difference.
As such, this article will look at heart attacks, why you need to be CPR certified and other life saving techniques.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack is medically known as a myocardial infarction. “Myo” stands for muscle, “cardial” refers to the heart, and “infarction” means tissue death due to a lack of blood flow.
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked for an extended period, leading to damage or death of that muscle tissue. This blockage is typically caused by a buildup of fatty deposits or plaque in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
When the blood flow is obstructed, the affected part of the heart doesn’t receive enough oxygen, causing chest pain, discomfort, and potentially more severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, or even loss of consciousness.
It is important to know that a heart attack and cardiac arrest are not the same. A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. This can sometimes lead to sudden cardiac arrest, which is when the heart suddenly stops beating. Let’s understand the difference between heart attack vs cardiac arrest.
Difference Between Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack
This table highlights the key differences between cardiac arrest vs heart attack, helping you quickly see what makes them different and how to respond to each.
| Cardiac Arrest | Heart Attack | |
| Definition | Sudden loss of heart function, leading to the heart stopping | Blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle |
| Cause | Electrical malfunction in the heart | Blockage in coronary arteries |
| Symptoms | Sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, no pulse | Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating |
| Onset | Immediate and sudden | Gradual, may develop over minutes to hours |
| Response Required | Immediate CPR and defibrillation | Medical attention needed, often involves medication or surgery |
| Survival Without Treatment | Very low | Higher, but still critical; timely treatment is crucial |
| Treatment Focus | Restoring heartbeat and circulation | Restoring blood flow to the heart muscle |
| Diagnosis | Usually confirmed by lack of pulse and breathing | Diagnosed through ECG, blood tests, and imaging |
| Outcome | Can be fatal without prompt intervention | Can be fatal but often manageable with prompt treatment |
Knowing the difference between a cardiac arrest vs heart attack is important, but it’s also essential to understand strokes. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked, causing damage to brain cells.
Being able to recognize and react quickly to all three differences—cardiac arrest vs heart attack vs stroke—can make a big difference in saving lives and improving recovery chances.
Immediate Response to a Heart Attack
Knowing how to identify the symptoms of a heart attack is critical for prompt action.
People often think chest pain is the main sign of a heart attack, but it can affect your whole body, not just your heart.
Different people, including those of various ages and genders, may have different symptoms. If you or someone else has chest pain, discomfort, or shortness of breath that gets worse, especially when resting, it’s important to see a doctor right away.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart attacks usually come with several key symptoms:
- Chest Pain or Discomfort: Often described as pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the chest. This pain can also radiate to the shoulders, neck, arms, or back.
- Shortness of Breath: This may occur with or without chest discomfort and can feel like you’re unable to catch your breath.
- Nausea or Lightheadedness: Some individuals experience feelings of nausea, vomiting, or dizziness during a heart attack.
- Other Signs: Symptoms can also include cold sweat, fatigue, or unexplained anxiety. Women, in particular, might experience symptoms like extreme fatigue or indigestion.
Women may experience unusual symptoms like sharp pain in the neck, arm, or back, or even sudden cardiac arrest as the first sign of a heart attack.
While some heart attacks happen suddenly, many people notice warning signs hours, days, or even weeks before. For example, recurring chest pain or pressure that doesn’t go away with rest could be an early warning. This type of chest pain, called angina, happens when blood flow to the heart decreases temporarily.
What to Do if Someone is Having a Heart Attack?
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), acting quickly can be crucial in saving someone’s life during a heart attack.
Doctors treat a heart attack as a serious emergency. If someone thinks they might be having a heart attack, they should call emergency services immediately, even if they’re not completely sure. Getting help quickly can reduce or prevent damage to the heart.
If someone is having a heart attack, quick action can be crucial. Here’s what you should do:
1. Call Emergency Services
Call emergency services right away if someone is having a heart attack. Dial the emergency number (like 911) and clearly describe the situation, including symptoms and location.
The operator will guide you on what to do next. Time is critical in a heart attack, so getting professional help quickly is essential for the best chance of recovery.
Stay on the line and follow any instructions given by the emergency dispatcher.
2. Keep the Person Calm
During a heart attack, it’s common for people to panic, which can make the situation worse.
If someone is having a heart attack, try to keep them calm by helping them sit down in a comfortable position. Reassure them that help is on the way and encourage them to breathe slowly and deeply.
Staying calm can help reduce their anxiety and prevent their condition from worsening until medical professionals arrive.
3. Chew Aspirin
If someone is having a heart attack and isn’t allergic to aspirin, give them a chewable aspirin (usually 325 mg). Chewing the aspirin helps it work faster to thin the blood, which can improve blood flow to the heart.
This simple step can help reduce damage to the heart muscle while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
Make sure the person is calm and seated, and keep an eye on their symptoms until help arrives.
4. Monitor Symptoms
If the person starts feeling worse or becomes unresponsive, keep an eye on their condition and be ready to give details to emergency responders.
Typical signs of a heart attack include chest pain, trouble breathing, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw.
Your observations can help medical professionals understand the situation better and provide the right treatment quickly.
5. Perform CPR
If the person becomes unconscious and doesn’t respond, start CPR immediately if you know how to do it.
Place your hands one on top of the other in the center of their chest and press down hard and fast, about 2 inches deep and at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. This helps pump blood to their heart and brain until help arrives.
If you’re unsure about performing CPR, consider taking a CPR Certification course. In the next section, we’ll talk about why CPR training is so important.
Why CPR Certification is Important
When someone’s heart stops beating or they stop breathing, they can die within minutes. CPR can help save their life and reduce damage while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.
1. CPR Saves Lives
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can strike anyone, anywhere, without warning. It’s crucial to act fast if it happens.
Performing CPR right away can double or even triple the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest that happens outside of a hospital.
2. CPR Protects from Brain Death
During a cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood to the brain and other important organs. Without blood flow, the person quickly loses consciousness.
If the brain doesn’t get blood for just three minutes, it can start to get damaged. After nine minutes without blood flow, the damage can be permanent.
CPR helps keep blood moving and can reduce the damage until professional help arrives.
3. Getting to Know About What to Do in the Situation
In about 37% of cases, someone nearby witnesses a sudden cardiac arrest. That someone could be you.
Getting CPR training gives you the knowledge and confidence to stay calm during a medical emergency and help someone in need.
With CPR certification, you’re ready to make a real difference and act quickly if a cardiac arrest happens around you.
4. Every Minute Counts in an Emergency
In any medical emergency, acting fast is crucial. For someone who suddenly stops breathing or whose heart stops beating (known as Sudden Cardiac Arrest), immediate CPR is essential.
Without blood flow, the brain, heart, and other organs can quickly be damaged. For example, if a person collapses at a family gathering or on the sports field, starting CPR right away can help keep them alive until professional help arrives.
By performing CPR, you increase their chances of surviving and recovering from this life-threatening situation.
5. CPR Makes Home Safer for Everyone
Recent data shows that 70% of cardiac arrests occur at home, and most victims don’t survive before help arrives.
This means about 250,000 people in American homes die each year from cardiac arrests, which is roughly one-third of the population of Seattle, WA.
Learning CPR can give you the skills to act quickly and help save a loved one’s life when they need it most.
6. CPR Makes School Safer for Kids
Each day, around 20% of people in the U.S. are at school, and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the top cause of death on school grounds.
About 1 in 25 high schools in the U.S. will experience an SCA event each year. Even if it doesn’t happen at your school this year or next, it’s likely to occur eventually. Many states now require that teachers and students learn CPR before they graduate.
Being prepared and knowing CPR is the best way to be ready for such emergencies.
7. CPR Makes Work Safer
Each year, about 10,000 people in the United States experience cardiac arrest at work. Ensuring safety in the workplace is crucial for every business.
Many companies now train their employees in CPR so they can provide help if someone has a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. When employees are trained in First Aid and CPR, they not only reduce accidents but can also save lives.
Providing CPR training shows that a company values its workers’ health and well-being.
How to Get CPR Certified
Getting a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification shows that you know how to give rescue breaths and chest compressions to someone in need.
With this Online CPR Certification, you’ll be ready to use these lifesaving techniques to help someone who’s had a heart issue or stopped breathing.
Here’s how to get your CPR certification:
- Determine the type of CPR certification you want: There are different types of CPR certifications available, such as for healthcare providers, workplace requirements, or personal training.
- Find a class: You can find an in-person class or an online class.
- Ensure the class is accredited: Make sure you sign up for an accredited class.
- Sign up and take the class: Once you’ve found the right class, sign up and complete the course.
- Pass the certification test: After completing the class, you’ll need to take and pass the certification test.
- Renew your certification as needed: CPR certifications typically need to be renewed every two years.
Get CPR Certified and Be Ready to Save a Life
To wrap things up, knowing the difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack and how to respond can really save lives. Getting CPR certified is crucial because it teaches you how to act quickly in emergencies. By learning CPR, you’re prepared to help in a crisis and make your community safer. Recognizing symptoms and performing CPR can make a huge difference. Don’t wait for an emergency to learn these important skills—get certified now. Being ready could mean saving someone’s life in a heart-related emergency.
