The terms sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack are often used interchangeably. But they are two distinct medical emergencies.
Here’s an easy way to remember the difference between sudden cardiac arrest versus a heart attack.
- Heart attack. A “plumbing issue” where blood flow to the heart is blocked.
- Sudden cardiac arrest. An “electrical issue” where the heart’s pumping action isn’t effective due to an irregular heartbeat.
Check out the HSI Emergency Care blog for more information about sudden cardiac arrest.
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