Take a Class Resources Blog Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest

  • What's the Difference Between a Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack?

    Woman experiencing a heart attack or cardiac arrest, clutching her chest in pain.

    Date Published: June 18, 2024

    A heart attack and cardiac arrest are not the same thing. A heart attack is a blockage of the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the heart muscle. The person may be awake, and if left untreated the heart attack may progress to cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs.

    We know that cardiac arrest is a big killer of people in the United States. People who have a history of cardiovascular disease or a congenital heart disorder are at higher risk for sudden cardiac arrest. However, sudden cardiac arrest can happen in people who appear healthy and have no known heart disease or other risk factors for the condition.

    A person who experiences sudden cardiac arrest is at very high risk of dying and needs immediate care. The cases where people do well are when they are recognized, when they get standard CPR, and they get access to a defibrillator, and they activate 911. Those pieces of the chain are in place, our survival rates can be over 30 to 40%, and in some places higher. We have the possibility not just to save people who only have a few months to live, we have the possibility to save young people who have many years ahead; save them so that they can be more productive and save them so that their families are not losing someone before their time.

    Heart attack vs. Cardiac arrest Signs and symptoms: Heart Attack - Chest pain or discomfort that lasts longer than 3-5 minutes or spreads, shortness of breath, dizziness or nausea. Most people who die of a heart attack die within 2 hours of first experiencing signs or symptoms. Cardiac arrest - The person is unresponsive, not breathing or only gasping. Every minute counts as brain damage can begin between 4-6 minutes and after 8-10 minutes, brain damage can become irreversible. -American Red Cross Training Services

    Information provided by members of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council:

    • Michael G. Millin, MD, MPH, FACEP, FAEMS (Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)
    • Andrew MacPherson, BSc, MD, CCFP (EM), FCFP (Emergency, EMS and Trauma Physician, Clinical Associate Professor at University of British Columbia)

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    About Red Cross Training Services

    Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross with the mission to spread knowledge and educate as many members of the national community in lifesaving procedures. Our services include training courses for CPR and AED, First Aid, BLS (Basic Life Support), babysitting, Caregiving, Lifeguarding Water Safety, and more.