What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? One about plumbing, the opposite about wiring

In July 2023, rising American basketball star Brony James collapsed on the court during practice and was sent to the hospital. The 18-year-old athlete, son of legendary LA Lakers veteran LeBron James, had an experiment. Cardiac arrest.

Many media outlets falsely reported the incident as “A heart attack” or used the terms interchangeably.

A heart attack and a heart attack are separate but related concepts.

Me with some background How does the heart work?we are able to see how they're different and the way they're related.

Understanding the center

The heart is a muscle that contracts to act as a pump. When it contracts, it pushes blood – which comprises oxygen and nutrients – to all of the tissues in our body.

In order for the center muscle to operate effectively as a pump, it needs its own blood supply, which is supplied by the coronary arteries. If these arteries are blocked, the center muscle doesn't get the blood it needs.

This may cause the center muscle to grow to be injured or die, and lead to the center not with the ability to pump properly.

Heart attack or cardiac arrest?

Simply put, a heart attack, technically generally known as a myocardial infarction, describes the injury or death of the center muscle.

A heart attack, sometimes called sudden cardiac arrest, occurs when the center stops beating, or in another way, stops working as an efficient pump.

In other words, each relate to the center because it should function, but for various reasons. As we are going to see later, one can result in the opposite.

Why do they occur? Who is in danger?

Heart attacks normally result from blockages within the coronary arteries. Sometimes it's called coronary artery disease, but in Australia, we call it ischemic heart disease.

The fundamental reason about 75% of people A process is named Atherosclerosis. This is where fatty and fibrous tissue accumulates within the partitions of the coronary arteries to form plaque. Plaque can block a blood vessel or in some cases cause a blood clot.

Atherosclerosis is a long-term, insidious process, with many risk aspects that may sneak up on anyone. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, food plan, diabetes, stress, and your genes all play a task in plaque formation.

Other causes of a heart attack include spasm of the coronary arteries (which causes them to narrow), chest trauma, or the rest that reduces blood flow to the center muscle.

Regardless of the cause, the blockage or reduction of blood flow through these pipes ends in the center muscle not getting enough oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, cells in the center muscle might be injured or die.

But a heart attack is the results of an irregular heartbeat, which makes it harder for the center to pump blood across the body effectively. These are brought on by heart rhythm irregularities. Electrical faults There are 4 distinct varieties of heart:

• Ventricular Tachycardia: A rapid and abnormal heart rhythm with an increased heart rate. 100 beats per minute (A traditional adult, resting heart rate is often 60-90 beats per minute). This rapid heartbeat prevents the center from filling with blood and thus pumping properly.

• Ventricular fibrillation: Instead of standard beats, the center flutters or “fibrillates,” that are like a bag of worms, leading to a heart rate greater than 300 beats per minute.

• Pulseless electrical activity: Occurs when the center muscle fails to supply enough pumping force after electrical stimulation, leading to no pulse.

• asystole: The classic flat-line heart rhythm you see in the films doesn't indicate electrical activity in the center.

Cardiac arrest might be brought on by quite a few underlying conditions, each cardiac and non-cardiac, similar to drowning, trauma, suffocation, electric shock and drug overdose. The reason behind James' heart attack is a Congenital heart defectsA heart condition he was born with.

But amongst the various causes of heart attack, ischemic heart disease, similar to a heart attack, emerges as essentially the most common cause. For 70% of all matters.

So how can a heart attack cause a heart attack? You may keep in mind that during a heart attack, the center muscle might be damaged or parts of it may possibly die. This damaged or dead tissue can disrupt the center's ability to conduct electrical signals, increasing the danger of developing arrhythmias, possibly resulting in a heart attack.

So while a heart attack is a typical reason behind a heart attack, a cardiac arrest doesn't normally cause a heart attack.

What do they appear like?

Because a heart attack ends in a sudden lack of effective heart pumping, essentially the most common signs and symptoms include sudden lack of consciousness, absence of a pulse or heartbeat, respiratory arrest, and pale skin. Or blueness.

But common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain or discomfort, which can radiate to other parts of the body similar to the arms, back, neck, jaw or abdomen. In addition, shortness of breath, nausea, light-headedness, paleness and sweating are common.

What is the take home message?

Although heart attack and cardiac arrest are each cardiovascular disorders, they differ of their mechanisms and consequences.

A heart attack is sort of a blockage within the plumbing that supplies water to a house. But a heart attack is like an electrical fault in the home wiring.

Despite their different nature, each conditions can have serious consequences and require immediate medical attention.