Can you explain the difference between heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiac arrest? Knowing the symptoms, and what do in each situation can help to save a life.

Strokes and heart attacks are often referred to as “plumbing” problems, so let’s think of your arteries as a system of pipes in your body that carry blood to important organs. A heart attack or stroke happens when there is a problem with one of those pipes, and the blood isn’t able to flow like it should.

In the case of a stroke, something has either plugged up an artery going to the brain, or the artery developed a weak spot and started leaking. Either way, blood is not getting to part of the brain. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells in that part of the brain start dying.

The American Stroke Association suggests thinking F.A.S.T. to check if someone might be having a stroke. F.A.S.T. stands for face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties, time to call 9-1-1! You’ve probably heard “time lost is brain lost.” The victim must get to a hospital quickly to limit permanent damage to the brain and have the best chance of recovery.

In the case of heart attack, the flow of blood to part or much of the heart becomes blocked, and the heart muscle begins to die. Most often, this blockage is caused by plaque build-up or a blood clot. Less frequent causes are a torn artery or artery spasms.

Common heart attack symptoms include chest pain or pressure, discomfort or tingling in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or shoulders, and shortness of breath. Women may be more likely to have unusual fatigue, cold sweats, nausea, or a heartburn feeling. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you think you or someone you are with is having a heart attack. Dispatchers can tell you what to do as soon as you call, and emergency responders can start treating the patient on the way to the hospital.

Sudden cardiac arrest is not a plumbing problem but an even more serious electrical problem. The heart starts beating chaotically, gets out of rhythm, and just stops beating altogether. With no pumping action, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs, and the victim collapses. The victim will likely die if not treated within minutes.

A person in sudden cardiac arrest is not breathing normally and is unresponsive. Even if you are not trained in CPR, you can double or triple a person’s chances of surviving by following the American Heart Association recommendation to call 9-1-1 and push hard and fast in the center of the victim’s chest until help arrives. If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, get it to the victim, and start following the directions the AED gives you.

Sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, and stroke can happen to anyone at any age. Take the time to learn more about preventing, recognizing and treating these conditions at www.heart.org.

Chautauqua County has high rates of both heart attack and stroke, but an estimated 80% of heart attacks and strokes are preventable. CHQ250 is an initiative of the Chautauqua Health Action Team(CHAT), encouraging you to take action to be one of at least 250 strokes, heart attacks, or related deaths prevented in Chautauqua County in the coming year. This column is written by CHAT members and is intended to share information to help you to do your part to live a life free of stroke or heart disease. Please direct questions or comments to: activecounty@co.chautauqua.ny.us.