Three in 10 adults believe a cardiac arrest is the same as a heart attack – a myth experts are trying to dispel. A survey of 2,000 adults by Resuscitation Council UK found millions wrongly believe there is a 50/50 chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.
But nine in 10 of those which happen away from a hospital result in death. However, a cardiac arrest is the ultimate medical emergency, when the heart stops beating, and the individual is clinically dead.
Worryingly, while 23 per cent said they sometimes experience chest pains, more than half of those (59 per cent) have not spoken to a medical professional. It also emerged 37 per cent of adults wouldn’t feel very confident helping someone in a state of cardiac arrest, while 24 per cent would not feel at all confident.
James Cant, CEO at Resuscitation Council UK, said: “Currently, we are failing people who survive a cardiac arrest. Everyone affected by cardiac arrest has a right to recovery and rehabilitation, which is a key element of improving quality of life post event.”
Cardiac arrest and heart attack are two distinct medical conditions related to the heart, although they are often confused with each other.
Cardiac Arrest: Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating, leading to the loss of blood flow to the body and brain. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. During cardiac arrest, the electrical system of the heart malfunctions, causing the heart to stop pumping blood effectively. This can result in a person becoming unresponsive, not breathing normally, and having no pulse.
Heart Attack: A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, happens when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle is blocked. It typically occurs due to a sudden blockage in one or more coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This blockage is often caused by a blood clot that forms within a narrowed or damaged artery. The lack of blood flow can cause part of the heart muscle to be deprived of oxygen, leading to tissue damage or death.
Cardiac arrest is a sudden cessation of the heart's pumping action, while a heart attack is caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the heart muscle. While a heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, the two conditions are not synonymous.
Prompt medical intervention is critical for both cardiac arrest and heart attacks, but the causes, symptoms, and treatments may differ.
