Sudden cardiac arrest vs. heart attack: Public confusion is putting thousands of lives at risk

The blurring of sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack may be contributing to unintentional consumer apathy with deadly consequences.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) affects about 1,000 people each day in the U.S. and only 1 in 10 victims survives.[1] It is a public health crisis.

It’s a common misconception that SCA and heart attack are one and the same. In reality, the two conditions are distinctly different.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. It strikes people of all ages who may seem to be healthy, even children and teens. When SCA happens, the person collapses and doesn’t respond or breathe normally. They may gasp or shake as if having a seizure. SCA leads to death in minutes if the person does not get help right away. Survival depends on people nearby calling 911, starting CPR,[2] and using an AED[3] (if available) as soon as possible.[4]

In contrast, a heart attack occurs when part of the heart’s blood supply is reduced or blocked, causing the heart muscle to become injured or die. Heart attacks are associated with a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and lifestyle choices, such as smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Heart attacks can lead to SCA, but there are also many other causes, such as previously undetected heart abnormalities.

It is important to know the two conditions present differently. SCA victims are not awake (unconscious and unresponsive) and are unable to communicate. In contrast, heart attack victims are awake and able to communicate.

Consequently, emergency actions also differ. When someone experiences SCA, every second counts. Bystanders should immediately call 911, start CPR, and use the nearest AED. When someone experiences a heart attack, bystanders should immediately call 911.

According to a national study conducted for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation by StrataVerve, public understanding of sudden cardiac arrest motivates bystander intervention, the most important action before EMS arrives. The study found that bystanders are significantly more likely to give CPR if they understand what SCA is, how it presents, and that bystanders have the power in their own hands to change outcomes with immediate CPR/AED intervention. In fact, 14% more lives could be saved each year if the public understood SCA.[5] This equates to thousands more lives—and families—that could be saved each year.

Confusion about the difference between sudden cardiac arrest and heart attacks is putting lives at risk.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is working to educate the public and the media about the difference between the two conditions, and the fact that immediate bystander action in cases of sudden cardiac arrest can mean the difference between life and death.