What's heart attack or cardiac arrest?

 A heart attack and cardiac arrest are two related but distinct medical emergencies.

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction):

A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle. This is often due to a blockage in one of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.

Symptoms may include:

Chest pain or discomfort

Shortness of breath

Pain in the arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

Lightheadedness or dizziness

Cardiac Arrest (Sudden Cardiac Arrest):

A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating or functioning effectively, often due to an electrical disturbance in the heart. This can be caused by a heart attack, but also by other factors like arrhythmias or trauma.

Symptoms may include:

Loss of consciousness

No pulse or breathing

Collapse or fainting

Key differences:

A heart attack is a circulation problem, while cardiac arrest is an electrical problem.

A heart attack may lead to cardiac arrest, but not all heart attacks result in cardiac arrest.

Both conditions require immediate medical attention. If you suspect someone is having a heart attack or cardiac arrest, call emergency services (112 or 911 in Nigeria) right away.