What is sudden cardiac attack and heart attack, and difference between them

 

Difference Between Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack

Although people often confuse them, sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack are very different medical emergencies. Here's a simple comparison:

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Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

What it is:
A sudden stoppage of the heart’s electrical activity, causing the heart to stop beating effectively.

Cause:

• Electrical malfunction in the heart (arrhythmia)
• Ventricular fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm)

Symptoms (happen instantly):

• Person collapses suddenly
• No pulse, no breathing
• Becomes unconscious
• Death occurs in minutes without treatment

Emergency Treatment:

• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
• Defibrillator (AED) shock to restart heart

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Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

What it is:
A blockage in the coronary arteries that stops blood flow to part of the heart muscle.

Cause:

• Plaque buildup (cholesterol, fat) in arteries
• Blood clot forming in narrowed artery

Symptoms (gradual or sudden):

• Chest pain or pressure (often left side)
• Pain spreading to arm, neck, jaw, or back
• Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea
• Can remain conscious during a heart attack

Emergency Treatment:

• Aspirin, clot-busting drugs
• Angioplasty or stent (to reopen blocked artery)

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Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Sudden Cardiac Arrest	Heart Attack
Type	Electrical	Circulatory (blood flow)
Onset	Sudden	Gradual or sudden
Consciousness	Lost immediately	Often remains conscious
Heartbeat	Stops completely	Usually still beating
Survival	Requires CPR/AED immediately	Urgent but slower onset
Cause	Abnormal rhythm	Blocked artery

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❗ Can One Cause the Other?

Yes. A heart attack can sometimes trigger sudden cardiac arrest, but they are not the same.