We’ve all heard of the two major heart conditions—heart failure and cardiac arrest. Both are life-threatening and involve your heart, but these two terms refer to different conditions, requiring different courses of treatment at a heart hospital in Kolhapur. It’s important to know the differences between the two so you can seek medical attention when needed. Here’s a look at the common signs, causes, and treatment options for heart failure vs. cardiac arrest.

What is Cardiac Arrest?

A cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating altogether or beats too abnormally to circulate blood to your vital organs. This is common in people with arrhythmia, a condition in which your heart can beat too fast, too slow, or might stop beating. 

Unlike a heart attack, a cardiac arrest is an electrical problem that occurs due to changes in the heart’s rhythm, heart attack, severe blood loss, electrolyte imbalance, or an electric shock. Since it stops circulation to the brain, lungs, and other organs, cardiac arrest can cause severe complications, including death, if not treated immediately.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cardiac arrest occur within seconds. 

• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Gasping
• No pulse
• Unresponsive

Treatment

If you see someone with the above symptoms, start CPR immediately. It aims to pump the heart so that blood can keep flowing to the organs. Proper use of CPR and an AED until help arrives can save lives. 

What is Heart Failure?

Unlike cardiac arrest or a heart attack, heart failure happens gradually. It means your heart is weak or unable to pump blood as effectively as your body needs. The condition can develop gradually or might occur suddenly. It simply means your heart’s muscles are not capable of pumping blood to your organs, which leaves your vital organs deprived of the oxygen-rich blood. 

Common causes of heart failure include arrhythmia, heart valve problems, heart muscle damage, blocked arteries, and high blood pressure. Heart failure usually occurs due to another underlying heart issue, which can be a birth defect or age-related weakening. Here are the common symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Dry cough or wheezing
• Weakness
• Rapid weight gain
• Swelling in the ankles, abdomen, and legs

Treatment

A cardiologist at WIINS Hospitals in Kolhapur decides on a treatment depending on the underlying cause of heart failure, such as controlling blood pressure and sugar levels. Treatment typically involves a combination of medications, such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or beta blockers, along with lifestyle modifications. Sometimes, the surgeon may use pacemakers to regulate heartbeats. 

Key Differences Between Cardiac Arrest and Heart Failure

Here are some key differences between the two:

Feature	Cardiac Arrest	Heart Failure
Condition	Heart stops beating	The heart beats, but the weakened muscles can’t pump blood effectively.
Onset	Occurs suddenly	Gradual, chronic condition
Symptoms	Difficulty breathing, no pulse, unresponsiveness	Breathlessness, swelling in the legs and ankles, fatigue, dizziness, etc.
Severity	Emergency	Serious but manageable
Treatment	Immediate CPR and AED followed by other treatments based on your heart health	Medications, lifestyle changes, surgical implants, and a heart transplant

Conclusion

Both cardiac arrest and heart failure sound scary. The terms are used interchangeably, but they have many differences. It’s important to visit a cardiologist if you or someone you’re close to experiences the above signs.