Cardiac Arrest, Heart Attack or Heart Failure? Understand the Difference
1. Electric Malfunction
A cardiac arrest is caused when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions.
The heart stops working suddenly and cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. It can be caused by abnormal or irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation (AFib) that has led to ventricular fibrillation.
2. Clogged Pipes
A heart attack is also referred to as a myocardial infarction and happens when the blood vessels that supply nutrition to the heart are blocked. Blood can no longer get to the heart. If the artery is not opened quickly, the heart muscle begins to die.
3. Weak Link
Heart failure symptoms usually develop over time. The heart keeps working, but the entire heart muscle is weak. It is not strong enough to meet your body’s need for blood and oxygen. If left untreated, it may progress to end-stage heart failure and lead to death.