Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest vs Stroke: The Difference, the Action Plan, and AED Basics for India

By Dr. Vinay Kumar Bahl in Cardiology Interventional Cardiology

Aug 22, 2025

In India, heart disease and stroke have become major health challenges, claiming thousands of lives every year. But when someone collapses suddenly, confusion often sets in: Is it a heart attack, a cardiac arrest, or a stroke? Each of these conditions is different, yet all are life-threatening and need quick action. Understanding the difference—and knowing what to do—can save lives.

Heart Attack: A Plumbing Problem in the Heart

A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood supply to a section of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked, most often due to a blood clot or fatty deposits in the coronary arteries. The heart keeps beating, but the affected muscle starts dying due to lack of oxygen.

Common symptoms:

• A sensation of discomfort or tightness in the chest that can radiate to the arm, neck, jaw, or even the back.

• Shortness of breath and dizziness
• Sweating, nausea, or a feeling of impending doom
• Sometimes mild or “silent,” especially in diabetics and women

Immediate action:

1. Nearest emergency service immediately.
2. Help the person sit upright; loosen tight clothing.
3. Give aspirin if available and the person isn’t allergic—this helps reduce clot formation.
4. Stay calm and keep monitoring until professional help arrives.

Key point: A heart attack primarily results from a circulation issue, where blood flow to the heart muscle is obstructed, although the heart continues to pump.

Cardiac Arrest: A Sudden Electrical Failure

A cardiac arrest is very different. It is an electrical problem where the heart suddenly stops beating due to irregular rhythms like ventricular fibrillation. When the heart stops pumping blood, the brain & organs get no oxygen.

Warning signs:

• Sudden collapse
• No pulse, no breathing
• Person becomes unresponsive within seconds

This is a medical emergency where every minute counts. The chances of survival decrease by 7–10% with every passing minute when CPR or defibrillation is not provided.

Immediate action:

1. Call 1204366666 right away or ask someone else to do it.
2. Start Hands-Only CPR: Push hard & fast in the center of the chest (100–120 compressions per minute).
3. Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) if available. It checks the heart’s rhythm and delivers a shock only when a dangerous, life-threatening rhythm is detected.
4. Continue CPR without interruption until emergency responders arrive or trained medical help takes over.

Key point: Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem—the heart stops completely. CPR and AED are the only immediate treatments before medical care.

Stroke: A Brain Attack

While heart attack and cardiac arrest involve the heart, a stroke affects the brain. It happens when blood supply to the brain is blocked (ischemic stroke) or a blood vessel bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). Brain cells begin to die within minutes.

Symptoms: Remember FAST

• F – Face drooping: One side of the face may suddenly appear weak or lopsided.
• A – Arm weakness: Sudden loss of strength or tingling in one arm can be a warning sign.
• S – Speech difficulty: Slurred or strange speech.
• T – Time to call emergency help immediately.

Immediate action:

1. Reach a stroke-ready hospital quickly.
2. Note the time of symptom onset—some treatments work only within a few hours.
3. Do not give food, drink, or medicine unless a doctor advises.

Key point: Stroke is a brain circulation problem, not a heart issue. Time is critical—early treatment saves brain function.

AED Basics for India: Malls, Airports, RWAs

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a life-saving device that can restart the heart in cardiac arrest. In nations such as the US & Japan, AEDs are widely available in airports, shopping malls, schools, and even railway stations. In India, adoption is slow but growing.

AED facts you must know:

• Simple to use: Voice instructions guide you step-by-step.
• Safe: Delivers shock only if needed.
• Portable: Light, battery-operated devices.
• Quick: Can be used by security staff, shopkeepers, or even bystanders after basic training.

How to use an AED:

1. Turn on the device and follow its instructions.
2. Attach the pads securely to the person’s bare chest as shown in the diagram.
3. Step back and allow the AED to check the heart’s rhythm.
4. If shock advised, press the shock button and resume CPR.

Installing AEDs in malls, RWAs, gyms, schools, airports, and metro stations across India can save countless lives.

Comparison Table: Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest vs Stroke

Condition	Organ Affected	Cause	Consciousness	First Aid Action
Heart Attack	Heart Muscle	Blocked blood flow	Usually awake	Call 108, give aspirin, hospital
Cardiac Arrest	Heart Electrical	Heart stops beating	Unconscious	CPR + AED + call 108
Stroke	Brain	Blocked/burst vessel	Often awake	FAST signs, call 108, stroke care

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Final Thoughts

Knowing the difference between a heart attack, cardiac arrest & stroke can mean the difference between life & death. In India, bystander CPR rates are below 10%, while public awareness about AEDs is very low. By learning Hands-Only CPR, demanding AED installations in public places, and acting quickly in emergencies, ordinary people can become life-savers before the ambulance even arrives.