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Cardiac arrest vs. heart failure: both are dangerous heart conditions, but they are very different problems. There are links between the two. Learn the difference between heart failure and cardiac arrest and which one is a medical emergency.
You may be at higher risk for both cardiac arrest and heart failure if you are a man, if you are 65 years or older, or if others in your family have had heart disease. If you have heart failure, you are more likely than other people to have cardiac arrest. And if you've already had cardiac arrest, your chances of developing heart failure are greater.
One difference between the two conditions is that cardiac arrest comes on suddenly. It can happen without warning. Heart failure occurs gradually. You might even have it for years before you notice symptoms. Other differences between heart failure and cardiac arrest lie in the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments.
Causes
Cardiac arrest means your heart stops beating. This usually happens because you have an arrhythmia. That's an abnormal type of heartbeat. Having heart disease increases your risk of cardiac arrest. But anyone can go into cardiac arrest.
Heart failure means your heart is not working as well as it should. Think of it as heart "weakness." Your heart is doing a poor job of getting fresh, oxygen-rich blood out to the rest of your body. Common causes of heart failure are high blood pressure and diabetes. Another is coronary artery disease, also known as heart disease. That results from the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply your heart muscles.
Symptoms
Cardiac arrest may cause chest pain, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, dizziness and nausea just before your heart stops beating. However, some people have no symptoms. Then, the first sign of cardiac arrest might be passing out, gasping for breath or not breathing.
Heart failure symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in your legs and ankles, and coughing. The coughing may be worse at night when you lie flat in bed. You also may feel your heart pounding and feel light-headed. These symptoms come on gradually. You might not notice any symptoms in the early stages of the heart failure, which can span several months or even years.
Treatment
Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms, call 911. If a loved one passes out and is not breathing, start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and call 911 for help. If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, use it as soon as possible. You can learn more about CPR and AEDs at the website of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
If emergency treatment is successful, the medical team will continue treatment, such as medicine to stabilize the heart and prevent another episode. They will also order a series of tests to diagnose the possible cause of cardiac arrest if one is not previously known, such as an abnormal heartbeat.
Heart failure is generally not a medical emergency. Still, it is a serious condition. There is no cure, but it can be treated with diet, exercise and medication. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, work with your doctor to get these conditions under control. Medications may help reduce fluid in your lungs and legs. Medications may also slow down your heart and help it beat more effectively.
Prevention
Talk with your doctor about your risk factors for heart disease, even if you feel fine and you already follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. Use your annual physical exam to discuss risk factors specific to your overall health, family medical history, and lifestyle habits.
You can reduce your risk of both cardiac arrest and heart failure by:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet. That means lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and staying away from foods high in salt and saturated fats.
- Getting regular exercise
- Losing weight with exercise and a healthy diet if you're overweight
- Not smoking
- Not abusing drugs or alcohol
