By Joanne Berven, RN

This second topic addresses the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest.  These two terms are often interchanged, but they differ greatly on what happens in your body.  Simply put, a heart attack is caused by a “circulation” problem, whereas a cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem.

A heart attack is when an artery in the heart occludes or gets plugged up, thus preventing oxygen-rich blood from getting to the cells.  As a result, the cells which make up our heart tissue, stop working causing a heart attack.  What causes the occlusion? It is called plaque, which is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances.  It marks the presence of atherosclerosis.  Over time, plaque builds up, thus compromising blood flow to heart tissue.  It becomes starved for oxygen and nutrients, and as a result, chest pain can occur.  Not everyone experiences chest pain in the same way. The typical scenario around chest pain (pain at the center of the chest, left arm pain/numbness, shortness of breath) was developed by studying men.  With more studies, it was found that women can differ in heart attack symptoms, such as back pressure, pain in the abdomen, fatigue.

Cardiac Arrest occurs suddenly and often without warning. It is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat. With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs, and other organs. Seconds later, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. A heart attack can trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to cardiac arrest.  Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment. Immediate treatment is CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), followed by the use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). 

Ignored pain can be fatal!  Call 911 if you experience any of the symptoms above.  Get your annual medical exam, get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, alcohol in moderation, stop smoking, and eat a heart-healthy diet.  These are some of the modifiable risk factors that can be changed towards a healthier you!  For more information about your heart, visit the American Heart Association website at www.heart.org.

AED and CPR will be discussed in the next episode.  The Health Ministry and the Men’s Club at St. Charles Borromeo partnered to obtain two AED’s which are the treatment of choice for a cardiac arrest along with CPR. One AED is in the Keeley Center and the other is in the church on the wall behind the confessional. 

 St. Charles Social Concerns Committee