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World Heart Day: Know the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest

12:16 PM Sep 29, 2021 | Team Udayavani |

Like every September 29, today is World Heart Day – a day created by the World Heart Federation to inform people across the world about the seriousness of Cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the leading cause of death across the globe claiming 18.6 million lives every year. Moreover, the COVID-19 outbreak has been heartbreaking for the 520 million people living with CVD.

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This year the Foundation has urged the world to USE HEART TO CONNECT. It is “about using your knowledge, compassion, and influence to make sure you, your loved ones, and the communities you’re part of have the best chance to live heart-healthy lives,” says its website.

In our efforts to contribute a little to the cause, here is some information about the often used terms related to CVD – Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest.

For a common man the words – heart attack and cardiac arrest – may not be different. Most of us mistakenly use them interchangeably in conversation. Medicos, however, use these terms differently with a distinct meaning. While a heart attack may cause cardiac arrest, the two aren’t the same.

Knowing the heart:

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Before diving into the topic, it’s prudent to know a little about the heart. The muscular organ circulates oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the body and carries metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide to the lungs. Interestingly, the heart feeds itself by using a network of tubes called coronary arteries. These arteries run along the surface of the heart and carry the fuel for the heart muscle. Without them, these muscles would starve vital nutrients, and the heart dies.

Key differences:

Heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, refers to the death of heart muscle tissue due to the loss of blood supply. In this, one or more coronary arteries get clogged – most often by the buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. It’s a “circulation” problem.

It’s like running an electric pump on an erratic power supply. Starved of power, the pump runs uncontrollably and can’t lift enough water out of the well. If the electricity supply remains erratic for too long the pump may eventually break down. Similarly, the heart muscles are robbed of their vital blood supply in a heart attack. The person may develop a dangerous heart rhythm. Left untreated, the heart muscles die because they are not getting enough oxygen and nutrients.

Symptoms and severity of heart attack vary from person to person. Some people have mild pain; others have more severe pain. Some people show no symptoms at all. Many people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. The earliest warning might be recurrent chest pain or pressure (angina) that is triggered by activity and relieved by rest. However, the more signs and symptoms you have, the greater the chance you’re having a heart attack. Unfortunately for many, a heart attack may lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

A cardiac arrest is caused when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions. The heart’s pumping action is thus stopped or “arrested”. It can occur suddenly and often without warning. It is just like what happens when power is cut off to a pump. As blood flow to the brain, lungs and other organs stops.

The person suffering a cardiac arrest shows a sudden loss of responsiveness. The person doesn’t respond, even if you tap them hard on the shoulders or ask loudly if they’re OK. The person doesn’t move, speak, blink, or otherwise react. The person wouldn’t be breathing normally or may be gasping for air.

Cardiac arrest is often fatal if appropriate steps aren’t taken immediately. Chest compressions (called CPR) and defibrillator shocks are commonly used to reverse a cardiac arrest and restore a normal heart rhythm within a few minutes.

Suggestions for Emergency Treatment:

One can follow some simple steps in an emergency situation. According to medical professionals, if you see someone who’s unconscious and you believe is having a heart attack, first call for emergency medical help and then check if the person is breathing and has a pulse. If the person isn’t breathing or you don’t find a pulse, only then should you begin CPR.

In conclusion, prevention of heart diseases is better than cure. Look after your heart by leading a healthy lifestyle – eating a healthy diet, saying no to tobacco, and getting plenty of exercises. Stay motivated and stay on track!

 

Deepak Lasrado

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