{"id":112669,"date":"2022-06-16T23:37:34","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T03:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=112669"},"modified":"2022-07-19T21:55:47","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T01:55:47","slug":"heart-attack-or-cardiac-arrest-knowing-the-difference-can-save-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=112669","title":{"rendered":"Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest? Knowing the Difference Can Save Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Capital Blue Cross – \u00a0THINK<\/a>\u00a0(Trusted Health Information, News, and Knowledge) is a community publication of Capital Blue Cross. Our mission is to provide education, resources, and news on the latest health and insurance issues.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest, two of the leading killers in the U.S., can occur anywhere at any time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing the difference between the two could help save a life, according to Colleen Gavin, a senior health coach at Capital Blue Cross. Gavin, part of the Health Promotion and Wellness team at Capital, works with employer wellness programs to deliver educational presentations on dozens of health and wellness topics.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA heart attack is a plumbing problem,\u201d Gavin said. \u201cBlockages prevent or restrict blood flow to the still-beating heart, and can lead to permanent damage or heart failure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSudden cardiac arrest, on the other hand, is an electrical problem,\u201d she added. \u201cThe heart just stops, often without warning, because the electrical impulse that keeps it beating is disrupted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Heart attack signs<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Chest pain or pressure is the most common symptom of a heart attack, but pain in the left arm, jaw, or back, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, cold sweat, dizziness, and fainting also can occur, especially in women, according to the\u00a0<\/span>American Heart Association.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Responding to heart attack<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n