Heart attacks and cardiac arrest are both serious medical emergencies that can happen suddenly and without warning. Despite often being confused or spoken about interchangeably, these conditions affect the heart in different ways and require different first aid responses.
A heart attack is a problem with blood flow to the heart while cardiac arrest is a problem with the heart’s electrical system. A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest if the heart becomes too damaged or its rhythm becomes unstable, which is why early action is so important.
Knowing how to recognise the signs of each and what to do in those first critical moments can make all the difference. Seek emergency help immediately if you notice any warning signs.
Prevention and risk reduction
Both heart attacks and cardiac arrest can be linked to heart disease and lifestyle risk factors, but they can also happen suddenly, even in people with no known health issues. You can lower your risk by:
- Staying physically active
- Eating a balanced, heart-healthy diet
- Quitting smoking
- Managing blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
- Attending regular health checks
Heart attack
Signs and symptoms
- Chest pain, pressure or tightness
- Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Sweating or anxiety
Symptoms can develop suddenly or build gradually over time. Not everyone experiences severe chest pain.
What to do
- Call 000 immediately
- If conscious, keep the person calm and seated with support for their back
- Follow instructions from the emergency operator
Do not delay seeking help, even if symptoms seem mild, as a heart attack can progress into a cardiac arrest if the heart becomes too damaged.
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively (arrhythmia) due to an electrical malfunction. Blood flow to the brain and body stops almost immediately.
Signs and symptoms
- Sudden collapse
- Unconsciousness
- Not breathing or short, gasping breaths
- No pulse
Sometimes, there may be warning signs before a cardiac arrest, such as:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
What to do
- Call 000 immediately
- Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest, alternating 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths
- Shock using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as soon as it is available
- Continue CPR until help arrives
Immediate action is essential. Survival rates can double or triple when CPR and an AED are used within minutes of collapse.
Enrol in a First Aid course to learn how to recognise the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest, and gain the skills and confidence to respond quickly in an emergency.
