Each year, approximately 57,000 heart attacks and 25,000 cardiac arrests happen to individuals of all ages in Australia. While both a both serious and potentially life-threating medical emergencies, they are actually two different conditions that require different actions.
How Does Cardiac Arrest Differ from a Heart Attack?
It’s important to recognise the distinct differences between cardiac arrest and a heart attack, as the appropriate emergency response can be lifesaving. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating, while most heart attacks are caused by a blockage in the blood flow to the heart, not a problem with the heart itself.
During a sudden cardiac arrest, the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing the heart to stop pumping blood effectively. This sudden loss of heart function means the brain and other vital organs are deprived of oxygen, requiring immediate CPR and defibrillation to restore a normal heart rhythm in order to survive.
A heart attack happens when a coronary artery becomes blocked, preventing oxygen-rich blood from reaching part of the heart muscle. This damage to the heart tissue can be permanent if blood flow is not restored quickly, often through emergency procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery.
Recognising the warning signs and acting fast is critical in both situations. Tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, nausea and wheezing are common symptoms of a heart attack, while a cardiac arrest typically happens without warming. The first sign of a problem includes loss of consciousness, no or abnormal breathing, or no pulse. While both situations require immediate emergency medical attention, those in cardiac arrest have only minutes if they have any chance of survival.
If treated quickly (with CPR or a defibrillator) a person can survive a cardiac arrest, although currently only approximately 5–10 % of people survive. The survival rate for a heart attack is much higher, over 60%. However, if untreated, a heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.
Taking Immediate Action During Cardiac Arrest Can Save Lives
When someone experiences cardiac arrest, every second counts.
The most important steps to take during a cardiac emergency are to call 000, begin CPR immediately, and use a defibrillator if available. CPR helps maintain blood flow to the brain and other vital organs until emergency medical help arrives, and when given within four minutes of the heart stopping, can have a huge impact on survival rates. For every minute without CPR, the chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest decreases by up to 10%.
While CPR may keep someone alive, the only way to return the heart to its normal beating pattern is through defibrillation. A defibrillator shocks the heart back into a normal rhythm by sending electrical signals through the heart, interrupting the ‘fibrillation’ pattern. Every minute that passes without defibrillation sees the chances of survival decrease by 9%.
It’s important for everyone to learn the signs of cardiac arrest and how to perform effective CPR. Equally as important, homes, cars, and businesses should all have a working AED defibrillator within easy access.
How Defibrillators Work to Restore Normal Heart Rhythm
At the core of a defibrillator’s function is the delivery of a controlled electric shock to the heart. This shock is designed to interrupt the chaotic electrical activity that occurs during cardiac arrest or life-threatening arrhythmias. By momentarily stopping the heart’s electrical signals, the defibrillator allows the heart’s natural pacemaker to reassert control and reestablish a normal, coordinated rhythm.
It’s a delicate process that requires precise timing and calibration of the defibrillator’s electrical output. But when used properly, defibrillators have proven time and again to be lifesaving devices that can restore normal heart function in the face of cardiac emergencies.
Where to Find and How to Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
AEDs are becoming increasingly common in public spaces like airports, shopping centres, and gyms, in fact, they have become mandatory in many public spaces and businesses throughout Australia. It’s crucial to familiarise yourself with where these devices are placed in your workplace and local community. Many municipalities and organisations make AED locations publicly available online or through signage.
Using an AED is straightforward, even for those without medical training. The device provides clear, step-by-step audio instructions to guide the user through the process of administering an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm. With confidence and quick action, an AED can significantly improve the chances of survival for someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
We encourage everyone to seek out the locations of AEDs in your area and take a few moments to understand how to use them properly. This knowledge could one day help you save a life.
By working together as a community to make defibrillators more widely available we can empower everyone to become potential lifesavers. Ultimately, our goal must be to create a society where no one is more than a few minutes away from a potentially life-saving AED defibrillator.
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