The Deadly Differences Between Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack

Just after 12:00pm on Thursday June 25th 2009, a 911 call was received from the residence of Michael Jackson claiming that he had collapsed and was experiencing medical complications. Emergency response workers arrived at his mansion, just off of Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles to find Jackson not breathing and an absence of pulse. While experiencing his share of medical complications in the past, the "King of Pop" appeared to be relatively healthy while on stage performing his famous songs and controversial yet icon dance moves. What is cardiac arrest? How does it differ from heart attack? Many fans and others who are mourning Michael Jackson's death want to know. In this guide, you will learn just that.

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack is a condition in which there is a restriction to the heart as far as overall blood flow is concerned. Blood contains a highly concentrated amount of oxygen. When any part of the heart, which is a muscle, is blocked from the natural flow of blood, that area experiences a high amount of damage and actually starts to die. While this medical condition is considered to be one of the most common killers associated with both males and females, if medical assistance is received in time, the survival rate is high. It has been estimated that if a person receives some sort of medical treatment within the first sixty minutes of experiencing the symptoms that are associated with a heart attack, the chance for permanent disability and death is drastically reduced. Unfortunately, those that experience cardiac arrest do not have as high of a chance for survival. Second and minutes come into play for treatment for those that experience sudden cardiac arrest and it has been estimated that there is a mere 5% chance for survival.

What is Cardiac Arrest?

A cardiac arrest does not result from a blockage to the heart muscle. This is a much more serious situation in which the heart just stops. Once the heart stops beating as appropriately required for the basic functioning of the body, contractions that are considered inconsistent begin to occur. This makes it relatively difficult for the heart to acquire the standard rhythm that was previously the norm for the victim. When this occurs, the individual collapses. Just like the case with the popular Michael Jackson, consciousness is typically lost and the person who is experiencing cardiac arrest will stop breathing completely. If medical assistance is administered through the use of a defibrillator, it is possible for the person to regain a natural heart beat. Unfortunately, the time span for this to work is so tight as far as minutes and seconds are concerned that this often does not work. Estimates indicate that approximately 95% of all individuals who experience a cardiac arrest like the King of Pop experienced will pass away prior to ever reaching the nearest hospital or health facility to be treated.

Conclusion

While both heart attack and cardiac arrest are serious medical emergencies, it is important to understand that there is a higher fatality rate for those that experience cardiac arrest. A person's care that suffers from cardiac arrest must be administered in minutes, and even in seconds in order for a positive outcome. The American Heart Association states on their website that death to the brain, as well as death to the body can occur in as little as four minutes after the onset of the sudden cardiac arrest. You should learn the deadly differences between cardiac arrest and heart attack. By doing so, you may be able to save your life, or another life of another.