Cardiac Question

[mikie333]

Please correct me if I'm wrong...

From what I understand, a Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack (MI) are not the same thing. A Cardiac Arrest is when there is somesort of 'electrical' failure in the heart whereas a MI is caused by a clogged artery in the heart.

Is my understanding correct? I'm wondering because these terms are often used interchangeably by people (non in a health care setting) and I'm just making sure my facts are straight.

Thanks!

[AZCEP43]

Cardiac arrest is a bit more than an electrical problem. It is the cessation of the heart as a forward pump of blood.

An acute myocardial infarction is the death of a portion of heart muscle following a period of inadequate blood supply.

[35monroeffemt]

Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating (arrest) for whatever reason. There is a million things that can cause a person to go into cardiac arrest i.e. myocardial infarction (heart attack) tension pneumothorax, O.D. etc...
Most the time the cause of cardiac arrest is when the heart cannot get the required amount of oxygen it requires( we will use a MI for this scenario).

Pt A grabs his chest and collapses onto the ground. If this pt is having an acute MI what might be going on?

One or more of the major blood vessels has become occluded by something plaque, embolus, thrombus, whatever. As the cardiac cells become ischemic or hypoxic (lack of perfusion) they in simpler terms become irritated and start firing off schedule. This is known as a disarhythmia most likely ventricular fibrillation, if not treated NOW this will degrade into asystole=flatline=DEAD.

Now a heart attack (myocardial infarction is a CAUSE of cardiac arrest as mentioned above. A heart attack and cardiac arrest are in no way the same thing and should not be used synominously.

Now if you want to dive even further with the electrical system you can start getting into PEA (Pulseless Electrical Activity) where the the hearts electrical system is fully functional yet the mechanical system so to speak is non fuctional.

There are Left and Right Brundle Branch Blocks where the electrical signals that make the Atria and Ventricles contract and relax become just that BLOCKED.

Hope this helps If needed I can elaborate even more for you.

[mikie333]

so I was somewhat right in saying that they arn't the same thing?

[fireman4949]

so I was somewhat right in saying that they arn't the same thing?

Yes. You were.

[mikie333]

and an Acute MI can lead to a Cardiac Arrest?

thanks for all the help!

[emt161]

and an Acute MI can lead to a Cardiac Arrest?

thanks for all the help!

Absolutely, if it's severe enough/goes untreated for long enough.

In regards to your other question, the public tends to refer to any cardic-related problem as "a heart attack." Just like they call us all ambulance drivers. No getting around it, most of the time.

[the1141man]

Absolutely, if it's severe enough/goes untreated for long enough.

In regards to your other question, the public tends to refer to any cardic-related problem as "a heart attack." Just like they call us all ambulance drivers. No getting around it, most of the time.

True.

And speaking of misnomers...I have, in 7yrs of being an EMT, yet to see a single heart ever attack anyone. ;)
It'd certainly make an interesting FOX show... "When Wild Hearts ATTACK!" :D

[armymedic571]

funnnnny...

[AZCEP43]

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