Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Is Cardiac Arrest?

Ok, first of all, I m no doctor but...what is Cardiac Arrest??? and what makes Cardiac Arrest different from a Heart Attack?? Sum sources are saying he died of Cardiac Arrest, others a Heart Attack....I miss Michael Jackson so much! I m STILL in Shock!!!
Wed, 16 Dec 2009
Report Abuse
  User's Response
's  Response
A heart attack is caused by a prolonged reduction in blood/oxygen supply to the heart as a result of a blockage in one of the vessels which supplies the heart. Tissue/cell death then occurs as a result of this and the area is said to be infarcted. A cardiac arrest simply means that the heart has stopped pumping blood around the body due to a disturbance in heart rhythm,- most commonly ventricular fibrillation. Many different things can cause this. A heart attack itself can lead to a cardiac arrest if blood supply is not restored to the heart quick enough and/or blood supply is completely blocked off. Unconfirmed reports are suggesting MJ died of an overdose of prescription drugs which can cause both respiratory and cardiac arrest. You can have a heart attack without experiencing the changes in rhythms that can lead to a cardiac arrest. For example, blood supply may only be partially cut off. If you have a cardiac arrest, you lose consciousness almost instantly.

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Heart failure


Loading Online Doctors....
What Is Cardiac Arrest?

A heart attack is caused by a prolonged reduction in blood/oxygen supply to the heart as a result of a blockage in one of the vessels which supplies the heart. Tissue/cell death then occurs as a result of this and the area is said to be infarcted. A cardiac arrest simply means that the heart has stopped pumping blood around the body due to a disturbance in heart rhythm,- most commonly ventricular fibrillation. Many different things can cause this. A heart attack itself can lead to a cardiac arrest if blood supply is not restored to the heart quick enough and/or blood supply is completely blocked off. Unconfirmed reports are suggesting MJ died of an overdose of prescription drugs which can cause both respiratory and cardiac arrest. You can have a heart attack without experiencing the changes in rhythms that can lead to a cardiac arrest. For example, blood supply may only be partially cut off. If you have a cardiac arrest, you lose consciousness almost instantly.