Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Same or Different?

Many people tend to think that a Heart Attack is the same thing as a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. This statement couldn’t be less true. The two are completely different! So in honor of Nation CPR and AED Awareness Week, let’s set the record straight:

Heart Attack

• A “plumbing” issue or blockage in the heart
• Heart Disease is responsible for over 350,000 deaths each year in the U.S.
• Victim is most likely conscious and alert
• Heart is still pumping blood (even if it is working harder than usual)
• Physical symptoms are present:  Men – Tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, pain in the left arm or rotates between left and right arms, Women – Usually more back, neck, and jaw pain, and feeling of “indigestion”

What to do if Someone is Having Symptoms of a Heart Attack:

• Call 9-1-1
• Have someone get the AED (do not use the AED unless victim collapses and stops breathing) and the First Aid Kit
• Have the victim sit down and keep calm
• Ask if the victim has any heart meds
• If no heart meds, ask the victim if they are allergic to aspirin or have had any recent bleeding or a stroke
• Offer 1 regular dose of aspirin or 2 baby aspirins
• Monitor the victim and try to keep calm while waiting for EMS

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

• An “electrical” issue with the actual heart rhythm
• Kills 1 person every 90 seconds in the U.S.
• Does not play favorites to age or gender
• Little to no symptoms prior to collapses
• Happens Suddenly – Victim collapses within a matter of seconds
• Upon collapse, victim is not breathing and not responding – Lifeless
• Heart stops pumping blood to brain and other organs
• Brain damage and brain death can occur within minutes if nothing is done prior to EMS arrival

What to do if Someone Suddenly Collapses

• Call 9-1-1
• Have someone get the AED and the First Aid Kit
• While waiting for the AED, have someone start CPR
• Start CPR by pushing hard and fast on the center of the chest
• Keep performing chest compressions until AED is ready for use
• Turn the AED “On” and listen to the prompts
• AEDs are easy to use – just follow the prompts!
• After a shock is delivered, the AED will tell you when to start back into the CPR
• Keep following the prompts of the AED and performing CPR until EMS arrives

Take the initiative and be prepared to save a life because Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen anywhere and at any time.

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