Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest: What’s the Difference?
Most of us have heard the terms heart attack and cardiac arrest — but they’re not the same thing. In fact, knowing the difference could save someone’s life.
For people working in care, this knowledge is especially important. In many care settings, you may be the first to notice when something is wrong, which is why spotting the signs and responding quickly is vital.
What happens in a heart attack?
A heart attack happens when one of the arteries that supplies blood to the heart becomes blocked. Imagine a pipe getting clogged: the blood can’t get through properly, and the heart muscle doesn’t get the oxygen it needs.
The person is usually still awake and breathing, but they may look and feel very unwell. They might complain of chest pain or pressure, which sometimes spreads to their arm, neck, or jaw. They can feel short of breath, sick, sweaty, or lightheaded.
If you suspect someone is having a heart attack, call 999 straight away. Keep them calm, encourage them to sit down, and be guided by the emergency operator — they may advise giving aspirin if it’s safe to do so.
For information and support, please read the NHS guide to heart attack.
What happens in a cardiac arrest?
Cardiac arrest is much more sudden. This is when the heart stops pumping properly because of a problem with its rhythm. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and the rest of the body. The person will collapse, lose consciousness, and stop breathing normally.
This is a life or death emergency. Without immediate help, survival is unlikely. The right response is to call 999, start CPR, and use a defibrillator if one is nearby. Every minute without CPR reduces the chance of survival — which is why confident, quick action makes such a difference.
For practical advice and resources, visit the British Heart Foundation’s guide to cardiac arrest here.
How are they linked?
Here’s where it gets a bit confusing: a heart attack can sometimes lead to a cardiac arrest, but not always. You can think of it like this:
- A heart attack is a plumbing problem — blood can’t reach the heart muscle.
- A cardiac arrest is an electrical problem — the heart suddenly stops beating.
Both are emergencies, but the signs and the immediate response are very different.
Understanding the difference
In care settings, you may be the person who notices the first warning signs. Being able to tell the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest means you can act quickly, call for the right help, and give someone the best possible chance of survival. Learn more here.
That confidence only comes with good training and practice.
Responding to a heart attack or cardiac arrest
If you would like to build confidence in recognising the signs and responding effectively, our Basic Life Support Training is designed to give you the knowledge and practical skills you need.
We also provide accredited first aid training, ensuring you are prepared to act in a wide range of emergencies.