
Sca Or Heart Attack Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation Learn about the differences between cardiac arrest vs a heart attack including signs and symptoms and find out what to do in each case. Sudden cardiac arrest (sca) is different from a heart attack. while a heart attack may be described as a “plumbing problem,” sca is more of an “electrical problem” that prevents the heart from functioning effectively.

Difference Between Sudden Cardiac Arrest Sca Heart Attack By Sudden cardiac arrest (sca) is a medical emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. it differs from a heart attack, which is caused by a blockage in the arteries that prevents blood flow to the muscle. While both conditions affect the heart, the differences between a heart attack and cardiac arrest are substantial. a heart attack is primarily a circulation problem, while cardiac arrest is an electrical issue. while a heart attack can cause cardiac arrest, it’s not always the case. Heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest are among the most critical heart related medical emergencies. although both involve the heart, they differ significantly in cause, symptoms, and treatment. Sudden cardiac arrest is mainly caused by an electrical malfunction in the heart, while heart attacks are usually due to blockages like blood clots or arterial issues.
The Difference Between Sudden Cardiac Arrest And A Heart Attack Heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest are among the most critical heart related medical emergencies. although both involve the heart, they differ significantly in cause, symptoms, and treatment. Sudden cardiac arrest is mainly caused by an electrical malfunction in the heart, while heart attacks are usually due to blockages like blood clots or arterial issues. “sca is caused by an electrical disturbance that disrupts the heart’s normal rhythm,” explains dr. tsyvine, a double board certified, fellowship trained interventional cardiologist. because the heart stops suddenly, it also stops blood flow to vital organs such as the lungs and brain. A heart attack could be described as a ‘plumbing problem’, while sudden cardiac arrest is more of an ‘electrical problem’. a heart attack occurs when a blocked artery prevents oxygen rich blood from reaching a section of the heart. if that blocked artery is not cleared quickly, the part of the heart it normally nourishes begins to die. When it comes to heart related emergencies, two commonly confused terms are sudden cardiac arrest (sca) and heart attack (myocardial infarction). while both are life threatening conditions, they have different causes, symptoms, and treatments. understanding the difference can be lifesaving. Cardiac arrest happens when there’s a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system. a heart attack occurs when there’s a malfunction in the heart’s plumbing. let’s dig into this a little bit deeper.