National Doctor's Day 2025: What is the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack? Renowned cardiologist Ashok Seth explains

Dr Ashok Seth (X.com/PTI image)

On National Doctor's Day 2025 on Tuesday, as healthcare professionals across India are being recognized for their service and care, Dr Ashok Seth — renowned leading cardiologist and chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute — emphasized the importance of understanding the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack - two medical emergencies that are often confused for one another, but require different immediate responses.

Dr Seth, Chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute and a renowned interventional cardiologist with over 50,000 angiograms and 20,000 angioplasties to his credit, explains that while both conditions are serious cardiac emergencies, they represent fundamentally different medical situations.

Understanding Heart Attack: The "Plumbing Problem"

According to Dr Seth's explanation, a heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle becomes blocked, typically due to a clot in one of the coronary arteries. This blockage prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart muscle, causing that portion of the heart to begin dying if not treated promptly.

"Think of a heart attack as a plumbing issue," Dr Seth said. "The heart continues to beat, but one or more of its blood vessels become blocked, starving a section of the heart muscle of vital oxygen and nutrients."

Key characteristics of heart attacks include:
- The heart typically continues beating during the episode
- Patients often remain conscious and can communicate
- Symptoms may develop gradually over minutes or hours
- Common warning signs include chest pain, shortness of breath, and radiating pain to the arm, jaw, or back
- Immediate medical intervention can restore blood flow and minimize heart muscle damage

Cardiac Arrest: The "Electrical Malfunction"

Cardiac arrest, Dr. Seth explains, is fundamentally different from a heart attack. He elaborates that cardiac arrest represents an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes it to suddenly stop beating effectively. This sudden reduction in heart function means that blood cannot be pumped to the brain, lungs, and other vital organs.

"Cardiac arrest is like an electrical system failure," Dr Seth notes. "The heart's rhythm becomes chaotic or stops entirely, causing immediate loss of consciousness and requiring immediate intervention to restart the heart."

Critical aspects of cardiac arrest include:
- The heart stops beating or beats ineffectively
- Immediate loss of consciousness occurs
- The person stops breathing normally
- Without immediate CPR and defibrillation, death can occur within minutes
- It can happen suddenly without warning, even in seemingly healthy individuals

The connection between cardiac arrest and heart attack

Dr. Seth emphasizes that while cardiac arrest and heart attack are two different distinct medical emergencies, they can be interconnected. He explains that a heart attack can potentially trigger cardiac arrest, particularly if the damage to the heart muscle affects its electrical system. However, most heart attacks do not immediately lead to cardiac arrest.

"Understanding this relationship is crucial for both medical professionals and the public," Dr. Seth states. "A heart attack increases the risk of future cardiac arrest, but many people survive heart attacks with proper treatment and continue to live healthy lives."

Cardiac arrest and heart attack: Recognition and Response

The veteran cardiologist stresses the importance of recognizing the signs of each condition:

For Heart Attack —
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Pain radiating to arms, back, neck, or jaw
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cold sweats
- Lightheadedness

For Cardiac Arrest —
- Sudden collapse
- No pulse
- No breathing or gasping
- Unconsciousness

Cardiac arrest and heart attack: Immediate action protocol for patients

Dr. Seth provides clear guidance on emergency response in these conditions —

Response in case of heart attack —
- Call emergency services immediately
- Help the person sit comfortably and remain calm
- Give aspirin if available and not contraindicated
- Monitor vital signs while awaiting medical help

Response in case of cardiac arrest —
- Call emergency services immediately
- Begin CPR immediately
- Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available
- Continue CPR until medical professionals arrive

Cardiac arrest and heart attack: Prevention and awareness

Dr Seth emphasizes that prevention remains the most effective strategy for both conditions. He advocates regular cardiovascular screenings, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing risk factors like diabetes and hypertension, and staying informed about heart health.

"Education and awareness can save lives," Dr. Seth concludes. "When people understand these differences and know how to respond appropriately, they become part of the chain of survival that can mean the difference between life and death."

VIDEO | National Doctor's Day 2025: "People often get confused between the terms cardiac arrest and heart attack. A heart attack occurs when a blood vessel supplying the heart suddenly and completely blocks, causing severe chest pain and discomfort. It may be accompanied by… pic.twitter.com/5cUEQTKCCN

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 1, 2025

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis for yourself.