More first aid - heart attack vs cardiac arrest

[laura_dropstitch]

My post yesterday regarding first aid for cardiac arrest highlighted another common misunderstanding - the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest. This BHF graphic makes it pretty clear, thought it might be worth sharing.

[Calliope153]

Thank you so much Laura, just shown my husband - saying if there is a next time for another heart attack he can just ring for an ambulance. As neither of us realised what was happening when I had a 100% blockage we waited for four hours to ring 111 as he didn;t want to make an unnecessary call to the emergency services........ then blue light ride. Still that's one off the bucket list!!!

[Chappychap]

I'm sure I heard that the single biggest cause of a Cardiac Arrest is a Heart Attack? In other words it's the arterial blockage that's actually the trigger for the chaotic heart rhythm/fibrillation/electrical problem?

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Chappychap]

I don't know, to be honest, but definitely possible to have one without the other. And I guess you treat cardiac arrest as cardiac arrest (ie 999, cpr and defibrillator) whether it's caused by a heart attack or not.

When my heart failure was first diagnosed, I spent ages plucking up the courage to ask the doctor on ward rounds if my heart failure meant I was more likely to have a heart attack and he just said no (phew, I thought) but really I was conflating heart attack and cardiac arrest as I thought they were one and the same thing. I only realised I WAS at greater risk of cardiac arrest 12 months later when they advised I get an ICD! The difference between the two was obvious to the doctor I'd asked but not at all to me, the patient.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Chappychap]

I tend to agree with this. My late father had a cardiac arrest following a heart attack. Despite being in A&E they were unable to revive him (was 1980). More recently my girlfriend's brother went to his GP after ensuring a weekend of what he thought was indigestion. His doctor diagnosed a heart attack and called an emergency ambulance. Shortly after getting in the ambulance he arrested. Fortunately the paramedics saved the situation and he had stents inserted.

However, I have also met someone who arrested but whose arteries were totally clear. I imagine there are multiple causes of a cardiac arrest.

[Midgeymoo17 in reply to Chappychap]

Not sure- but as coronary artery disease makes up the single biggest reason for heart disease in this country it would not be surprising.

The other way round 1/3 (Source: North West Ambulance Service) of heart attacks lead to an out of hospital cardiac arrest which is a large number. However, it is important to know the difference because up till cardiac arrest the first aid treatment is different.

[BigT2013]

Cardiac Arrest can occur on its own due to an arrhythmia.

Can also be caused by a brain problem for example severe stroke, causing interruption of electrical signals from the brain.

U can also have a traumatic cardiac arrest.

Heart attack can cause a cardiac arrest but not the other way round.

First Aid is different for a heart attack until the point the patient may go into cardiac arrest, like someone mentioned.

[Karenpr]

The replies here show how many people still are not aware of the difference. I have seen posts where someone has commented they had a CA when really they had a HA. Think some major education of the general public is required.

[Dickydon]

That’s is very clear Thank You! The first time I’ve seen it described this way.

[Handel]

Always good to know where the nearest defibrillator is!! xx

[Kimkat]

Yes funnily enough I discovered that a couple of weeks ago, read it on the net somewhere, very interesting.

[fedupoffeelingtired]

In cardiac rehab we were taught this, and I was surprised after returning to work that one of our first aiders didn't know the difference! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'm not working on their shift if I need first aid 🙄