“A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood around your body. Although it’s sometimes mistaken for a heart attack, a cardiac arrest is different”.1

Umbrella

What may the Cardiac Arrest Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

Definition

What is a cardiac arrest?

DotS the definition of a cardiac arrest may vary. The British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) definition is:

“A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood around your body. Although it’s sometimes mistaken for a heart attack, a cardiac arrest is different”.2

The American Heart Association’s (AHA) definition is:

“Cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. It can come on suddenly or in the wake of other symptoms”.3

Cardiac Arrest or Heart Attack

Is a cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack?

No. In Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Differences the AHA elaborate on:

“People often use these terms interchangeably, but they’re not the same. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a “circulation” problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem”.4

Cause

What causes a cardiac arrest?

In What Is Cardiac Arrest? Is A Heart Attack the Same As Cardiac Arrest? the AHA explain:

“Cardiac arrest may be caused by irregular heart rhythms called arrhythmias. A common arrhythmia associated with cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation. In ventricular fibrillation, the heart’s lower chambers suddenly start beating chaotically and don’t pump blood”.5

In Cardiac Arrest: What Causes A Cardiac Arrest? the BHF note:

“A cardiac arrest is caused by a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), which happens when the electrical system in the heart isn’t working properly. Not all abnormal heart rhythms are life-threatening, but some mean that the heart cannot pump blood around the body”.6

Ventricular Fibrillation

What is ventricular fibrillation (VF)?

In Cardiac Arrest: What Causes A Cardiac Arrest? the BHF also elaborate on:

“Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is an example of a dangerous heart rhythm that can lead to a cardiac arrest. This is when the heart quivers or ‘fibrillates’ instead of pumps. Common arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation aren’t life-threatening although they cause irregular, fast heart rhythms”.7

Cardiac ArrestHealth Care Provider

What if I think I could be at risk for a cardiac arrest?

If you think you could be at risk for a cardiac arrest, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

Health Topics A-Z

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Sources

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Sources

  1. Cardiac Arrest. Page Last Updated: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 26 August 2024
  2. Cardiac Arrest. Page Last Updated: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 26 August 2024
  3. What Is Cardiac Arrest? What Is Cardiac Arrest? Last Reviewed: 09 November 2023. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/about-cardiac-arrest#.WgN3WTprypo Accessed: 26 August 2024
  4. Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Differences. Last Reviewed: 02 December 2022. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks/heart-attack-or-sudden-cardiac-arrest-how-are-they-different#.WgN4vnZx2po Accessed: 26 August 2024
  5. What Is Cardiac Arrest? Is A Heart Attack the Same As Cardiac Arrest? Last Reviewed: 09 November 2023. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/about-cardiac-arrest Accessed: 26 August 2024
  6. Cardiac Arrest: What Causes A Cardiac Arrest? Page Last Updated: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 26 August 2024
  7. Cardiac Arrest: What Causes A Cardiac Arrest? Page Last Updated: 23 January 2023. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiac-arrest.aspx Accessed: 26 August 2024
Topic Last Updated: 29 September 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 26 August 2024