How Much Do You Know About Heart Attacks vs. Cardiac Arrest?
We’ve all seen the movie scenes where someone suddenly clutches their chest and collapses to the floor. But what’s really happening? Is it a heart attack? Cardiac arrest? Are they the same thing? While these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to two very different medical emergencies, and knowing the difference could save a life.
We'll break down the key distinctions between heart attacks and cardiac arrest, explore how to recognize their signs, and debunk some widespread myths. And to make it interactive, we’ve built a true-or-false quiz to test your knowledge. Let’s see how heart-smart you really are.
What’s the Difference?
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when an artery blockage cuts off blood flow to part of the heart, causing muscle damage. In the U.S., about 605,000 new heart attacks happen each year, with someone experiencing one every 40 seconds, resulting in approximately 1,905 daily deaths from heart disease. Though dangerous, the heart usually continues beating, giving crucial time for treatment. Sudden cardiac arrest, however, is entirely different; it’s an electrical malfunction that makes the heart stop beating abruptly. In 2020, there were over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the U.S., with only 9–10% survival rates to hospital discharge. Immediate CPR and defibrillation can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.
True or False: What’s Really Happening to the Heart?
Ready for a quick heart check (the knowledge kind)? These true/false questions will help reinforce what you may think you know about heart attacks versus cardiac arrests, and might even surprise you.
1. Chest pain is the only symptom of a heart attack.
FALSE.
While chest pain or discomfort is a common symptom, it's not the only one. Heart attack symptoms can also include pain in the arms, back, neck, or jaw; shortness of breath; cold sweats; nausea; lightheadedness; or fatigue, especially in women.
2. A person having a cardiac arrest will always feel chest pain beforehand.
FALSE.
Cardiac arrest often happens without warning. A person can collapse suddenly and become unresponsive, without experiencing prior symptoms. That’s why it’s important to recognize the sudden signs of unresponsiveness, no pulse, and no normal breathing, and act immediately.
3. If someone is in cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces their chance of survival.
TRUE.
Time is critical. For every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation, a person’s survival chances decrease by 7–10%. After 10 minutes with no intervention, survival is unlikely. Early CPR and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can dramatically improve outcomes.
4. Women are more likely than men to experience unusual heart attack symptoms, like jaw pain or nausea.
TRUE.
Women often present with atypical symptoms during a heart attack, such as nausea, indigestion, back pain, fatigue, or jaw pain. This can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment, making it vital for women to know and act on these warning signs.
5. Cardiac arrest is a circulation problem, while a heart attack is an electrical problem.
FALSE.
It’s actually the other way around.
● Heart attack = circulation problem (blocked blood flow to heart muscle)
● Cardiac arrest = electrical problem (heart’s rhythm malfunctions, causing it to stop beating)
6. Cardiac arrests always lead to a heart attack.
FALSE.
Cardiac arrest can result from a heart attack, but not always. It may also be caused by arrhythmias, heart failure, trauma, or drug overdose. Likewise, not every heart attack leads to cardiac arrest, though the risk is higher if treatment is delayed.
7. An AED (defibrillator) is only used for cardiac arrest, not heart attacks.
TRUE.
AEDs are used to restore normal heart rhythm during cardiac arrest, not heart attacks. Heart attacks require urgent medical intervention, possibly with medications or procedures to restore blood flow. However, a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, in which case an AED may become necessary.
Understanding the difference between heart attacks and cardiac arrest could be the deciding factor between life and death for a loved one or even yourself. While both are serious cardiac events, they require very different responses. This is why CPR and AED training is so critical, whether you're a healthcare professional, a parent, or someone who simply wants to be prepared.
ACLS Academy is an authorized American Heart Association (AHA) Aligned Training Center. We have three convenient locations in Massachusetts—Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center—and most of our classes include an online training component. We offer high-quality courses taught by instructors who are practicing medical professionals, including ACLS, BLS, TNCC, ENPC, NRP, PALS, PALS Plus, PEARS, ACLS-EP, ASLS, Bloodborne Pathogen, HeartSaver CPR/AED, First Aid, and Instructor Courses. Browse our course catalog.