When it comes to heart-related emergencies, quick thinking and the right response can mean the difference between life and death. Yet, many people often confuse a heart attack with cardiac arrest – two conditions that seem similar but have vast differences in how they affect the body and how they should be treated. It’s important to understand this difference, because knowing what to do in those critical moments can help save lives.
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Dr Manan Vora, Mumbai-based orthopedic surgeon, health educator and co-founder of Nutribyte Wellness, explains the key differences between a heart attack and cardiac arrest – and what steps to take during such medical emergencies.
In an Instagram video posted on October 27, the surgeon uses the metaphor of a house to explain the two conditions — “To understand the difference, imagine that the heart is a house and the plumbing system through which blood flows is the connecting pipes and faucets,” — and emphasizes that knowing the difference can literally save a life.
heart attack
Dr Vora explains that a heart attack occurs when blood vessels become blocked, causing symptoms such as chest pain and dizziness – although the person usually remains conscious and responsive.
He elaborates, “A heart attack is like a blocked pipe. Blood is unable to reach certain parts of the heart due to blockage in the blood vessels. During a heart attack, the patient feels chest pain, dizziness and nausea. The important thing is that the patient is still alive and breathing and may also be calling for help.”
heart failure
The surgeon compares cardiac arrest to a sudden power failure in the house – a metaphor he uses to describe how the heart suddenly stops working. He explains, “In cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops beating. As a result, blood circulation stops completely. This means you do not have time and the patient needs CPR or a defibrillator immediately.”
When blood flow stops, the person collapses almost immediately. Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, Dr. Vora emphasized that cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency where every second counts.
What to do during emergency?
“If someone is having a heart attack, you need to call an ambulance immediately. However, if they suddenly collapse and stop breathing, it is cardiac arrest, and you need to act fast with CPR,” insists Dr Vora. He recommends starting CPR immediately and using a defibrillator if available. Quick action is important to deal with such emergencies as a few seconds can make the difference between life and death.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
