Stroke vs Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest - Which Can Harm You The Most?

It is good to know the primary differences among stroke, heart attack and cardiac arrest to be able to prevent or lower the risk when you suffer from any of those.

To start it off, a stroke is a problem, which concerns the severe reduction of the blood supply to our brain. When there is problem with the supply of blood to the heart, it is called heart attack. Lastly, cardiac arrest concerns the electrical system of the heart.

To be able to distinguish and define the three more adequately:

Stroke

1. Symptoms include weakness or numbness of one side of the body or face, speaking troubles, dizziness, confusion, loss of coordination and severe headache which may appear without any triggering factor.
2. When the severe reduction or cessation of the flow of blood to the vital organ causes the failure of the part of the brain to get enough oxygen, stroke happens. Blood clot making its way to one of the blood vessels in the brain usually causes stroke.
3. Leaking or bursting of a blood vessel that supplies brain with blood is called hemorrhagic stroke.
4. Stroke is considered as the leading cause of disability that’s long-term and serious.
5. Risk factors include blood disorders, obesity, alcoholism, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, temporary ischemic attack or prior stroke, race, family history, gender and age.

Heart Attack

1. Symptoms include anxiety and nausea, cold sweats, shortness of breath, squeezing or tightness sensation in the chest, pain that radiates to the upper back and jaw, shoulders and arms. Women may suffer from milder symptoms or even none at all.
2. When oxygen fails to reach one or more regions of the heart due to the restriction of blood flow, heart attack happens.
3. It is caused by blockage of an artery that supplies the blood to the organ, which is primarily for pumping of the blood throughout the body.
4. Cholesterol building up and plaque on the inner arterial wall cause the blockage.
5. Heart does not stop beating during heart attack.
6. Treatment should be given to the person who suffers heart attack immediately to lessen the risk.
7. Risk factors include sedentary lifestyle, stress, poor diet, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, family history, gender and age.

 Cardiac Arrest

1. Signs include gasping, unresponsiveness, and absence of breath.
2. When the organs are malfunctioning caused by sudden stop of beating of the heart muscles, cardiac arrest happens.
3. It is caused by heart’s electrical system that has gone wild, causing irregular heartbeat and complete cessation of the pumping action of the heart.
4. When one suffering from cardiac arrest fails to get immediate treatment, one may die in minutes.
5. Risk factors include alcohol or drug abuse, smoking, history of arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, family history, gender, and age.

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