Heart attack vs. cardiac arrest: What’s the difference?

If you think that a heart attack and cardiac arrest are the same thing – you’re wrong. But, you’re not alone. In a recent Cleveland Clinic survey, 87 percent of those surveyed mistakenly believed cardiac arrest is another term for heart attack.

A heart attack may cause cardiac arrest, but many times these occurrences happen independently of each other.

“Heart attack results from a plumbing problem, while cardiac arrest happens because of an electrical problem,” explains Carlos Hubbard, MD, a cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center.

Clogged plumbing

A network of blood vessels called coronary arteries surround the heart and supply it with oxygen-rich blood. The heart needs this oxygen to sustain a heartbeat and keep the body running. A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked, which stops the flow of blood to the heart. All or part of the heart muscle becomes damaged because it’s cut off from its oxygen supply.

Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital and Beachwood Family Health Center cardiologist, Keith Kruithoff, MD, says “The blockage that leads to a heart attack is caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances. These form plaque in the arteries, preventing them from delivering the oxygenated blood that the heart needs to function.”

When a heart attack damages or weakens a significant amount of heart muscle, this sometimes leads to electrical disturbances that increase the risk for cardiac arrest.

Electrical malfunction

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical system to the heart malfunctions and suddenly becomes very irregular, causing the heart to beat dangerously fast. The heart’s two large chambers may flutter or quiver, and blood is not delivered throughout the body. This leads to a rapid drop in blood pressure and collapse of the circulatory system.

In the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, the greatest concern is that blood flow to the brain is reduced so drastically that a person will lose consciousness. “Unless emergency treatment begins immediately, there’s virtually no chance for survival,” says Dr. Kruithoff.

Decrease your risk

“The best way to decrease your chances of cardiac arrest or heart attack is to control risk factors, including lowering high blood pressure, controlling diabetes, quitting smoking and incorporating a healthy diet and exercise into your life,” advises Dr. Hubbard.

To make an appointment with Dr. Hubbard or Dr. Kruithoff at Cleveland Clinic Beachwood, call 216.839.3000; with Dr. Kruithoff at South Pointe Hospital, call 216.491.7380. Cleveland Clinic offers same-day appointments.

Carlos Hubbard, MD

Keith Kruithoff, MD