Differentiating Heart attack vs. Cardiac arrest
Today, heart diseases or cardiovascular diseases is one of the common diseases of the Filipinos and is also one of the top killers. This is according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Filipinos are prone to this disease because of their lifestyle. As observed, there are so many obese Filipinos, smokers, and drinkers. These are some of the factors why cardiovascular disease became common to our country.
Heart attack and Cardiac arrest may also occur any time of the day or whatever the weather may be. However, some people fail to differentiate the two when a chest pain or attack happen. What is the difference, then?
One may experience Heart attack when the person experience extreme chest pain, short breathing and is feeling nauseous. This occurs when the blood flow is blocked preventing the blood to reach the Heart. If this happen, first aid must be given to the person immediately. (1) Have the person sit and rest. (2) Give the person his/her needed medication like aspirin. (3) Bring them to the nearest Hospital.
Cardiac arrest, however, is very different from Heart attack. The heart malfunctions then will stop beating. If that happen, the person without feeling chest pains or anything at all, will just simply pass out, not breathing or only gasping, and not responsive. If this happen, do a CPR right away then bring them to the nearest hospital. The person may still be saved if treated within minutes.
We must not only take care of heart from heartaches but also from diseases. Healthy lifestyle is the key to a healthy heart and happy life.
