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Emma Bray

Heart Attack Or Cardiac Arrest?

Do you know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? Often these conditions can be confused and knowing the signs of them both can save a life.


A heart attack occurs when the supply of blood to the heart becomes blocked, which can starve it of oxygen. Whilst the early signs of a heart attack can vary, the most common include squeezing across the chest which may be painful, sweating and a feeling of unease. The person will be conscious and breathing.


A cardiac arrest is different – it usually occurs suddenly and without warning with the person quickly losing consciousness. Their heart stops, they will have no pulse and sadly people experiencing a cardiac arrest will usually die within minutes if they do not receive treatment. A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.


Signs and symptoms of a heart attack include: 

  • chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest 

  • pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm is affected, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy

  • feeling lightheaded or dizzy 

  • sweating 

  • shortness of breath

  • feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) 

  • an overwhelming sense of anxiety (similar to having a panic attack) 

  • coughing or wheezing 

Call 999 immediately if you think someone is having a heart attack.


Signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest include:

  • they appear not the be breathing

  • they're not moving

  • they don't respond to any stimulation, such as being touched or spoken to


Call 999 immediately if you think someone is having a cardiac arrest and start CPR.


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