Heart-related emergencies can happen suddenly, without warning, and often in everyday settings such as homes, workplaces, shopping centres, or sporting venues. As part of REDFEB Heart Research Month, it’s important to understand the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest, recognise the warning signs, and know exactly how to respond.
Although these two conditions are often confused, they are not the same medical emergency. Knowing the difference can save precious minutes. Those minutes can save lives.
This guide explains heart attack symptoms, cardiac arrest signs, how each condition affects the body, and the correct first aid and CPR response in an Australian context.
What Is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a build-up of plaque in the coronary arteries. Without oxygen-rich blood, the affected heart muscle begins to suffer damage.
Unlike cardiac arrest, the heart does not stop beating during a heart attack. The person is usually conscious, at least in the early stages, and may experience symptoms over minutes or hours.
Common Heart Attack Symptoms
Heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person and may not always be sudden or severe. Common warning signs include:
- Chest pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort
- Pain spreading to the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Unusual fatigue
Women, older adults, and people with diabetes may experience atypical symptoms, such as mild chest discomfort, breathlessness, or unexplained exhaustion.
What to Do: Heart Attack
Even if you are unsure whether it is a heart attack, call 000 immediately. Every minute matters. Getting emergency services involved ensures treatment can begin as soon as possible, often much earlier than if the person travels to hospital by car.
While waiting for emergency services:
- Keep the person calm and seated upright
- Loosen tight clothing
- Encourage slow, steady breathing
- Do not let them exert themselves
What Is Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest is far more immediately life-threatening than a heart attack. It occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that makes the heart stop pumping blood altogether.
When cardiac arrest occurs, oxygen delivery to the brain and vital organs stops. Without rapid intervention, death can occur within minutes.
Common Cardiac Arrest Signs
Cardiac arrest happens suddenly and without warning. Signs include:
- Sudden collapse
- Loss of consciousness
- Unresponsiveness
- Not breathing or only gasping
- No detectable pulse
A person in cardiac arrest will not be awake or responsive.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Heart attack
- A circulation problem caused by blocked blood flow
- Person is usually conscious
- Requires urgent medical care
- Cardiac arrest
- An electrical problem where the heart stops beating
- Person collapses and becomes unresponsive
- Requires immediate CPR and defibrillation
A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, but they are not the same condition.
First Aid Steps for Each Emergency
Understanding the correct emergency response steps can dramatically improve outcomes.
Recognising and Responding to a Heart Attack
- Call 000 immediately
- Keep the person still, calm, and comfortable
- Monitor breathing and responsiveness
- Be ready to begin CPR if the person collapses and becomes unresponsive
Prompt medical treatment significantly reduces heart muscle damage and complications.
Recognising and Responding to Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest is reversible in many cases if treated within the first few minutes.
- Call 000 immediately
- Send someone to get an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Begin CPR straight away
- Continue CPR until emergency services arrive or the AED instructs otherwise
If two people are present, one should start CPR while the other calls 000 and retrieves the AED.
CPR Response: DRSABCD Explained
If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow DRSABCD:
D – Danger
Check the scene for danger, form an initial impression, and use personal protective equipment (PPE) if available.
R – Responsive?
Check for responsiveness by asking loudly, “Hello, can you hear me?” and squeezing their hands. Look for breathing and life-threatening bleeding.
S – Send for Help
If the person does not respond and is not breathing or only gasping, send someone to call 000 and retrieve a first aid kit or AED.
A – Airway
Open the airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin. Check for blockages and clear if necessary.
B – Breathing
If breathing normally, place the person in the recovery position and check every 10 seconds. If not breathing normally, place them on a firm surface and begin CPR.
C – CPR
- Give 30 chest compressions
- Hand position:
- Two hands (adult)
- One hand (child)
- Two fingers (infant)
- Two hands (adult)
- Compression depth: at least 5 cm for adults
- Rate: 100–120 compressions per minute
- Allow full chest recoil
Give two rescue breaths using a CPR face shield if available:
- Open the airway
- Each breath lasts about one second
- Watch for chest rise
D – Defibrillator
Attach the AED as soon as it arrives. Follow voice prompts and continue CPR as instructed until emergency services arrive.
Why CPR Training Matters
Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere. Immediate CPR can double or triple survival rates before expert arrive.
Everyone aged 14 years and over should know:
- The difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest
- How to recognise an emergency
- How to perform CPR confidently
- How to use a defibrillator
Learning CPR through a recognised CPR Course ensures skills are current, evidence-based, and aligned with Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines. Broader emergency readiness can also be developed through a First Aid Course, which covers heart emergencies alongside other critical situations.
Defibrillators Save Lives
AEDs are designed to be used by everyday people with no medical background. They provide clear voice prompts and will only deliver a shock if needed.
Knowing how to locate and use a defibrillator can make the difference between life and death. Many workplaces and public venues now have AEDs available, and training courses commonly include defibrillator education as part of CPR and first aid instruction.
FAQs
Is cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack?
No. A heart attack is caused by blocked blood flow, while cardiac arrest is caused by an electrical failure that stops the heart.
Can a heart attack lead to cardiac arrest?
Yes. A heart attack can trigger an abnormal heart rhythm, which may result in sudden cardiac arrest.
Should CPR be given during a heart attack?
CPR is only required if the person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally.
Do I need training to use a defibrillator?
AEDs can be used without training, but completing CPR and defibrillator training increases confidence and effectiveness.
Learn CPR Today
Being prepared for a cardiac emergency saves lives. CPR training provides the confidence and skills needed to respond quickly and correctly.
Understanding the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest, knowing when to call 000, and being ready to act with CPR and a defibrillator empowers everyday Australians to make a life-saving difference when it matters most.