Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest: What You Need to Know and How First Aid Can Help

When faced with an emergency, knowing the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest can be the difference between life and death. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are very different conditions requiring different responses.

Understanding these differences is crucial not just for general knowledge, but also for ensuring your workplace has the right safety measures in place—including proper First Aid at Work training to prepare you for real-life situations, so you can confidently act when every second counts.

Now let’s get into the differences between these two common medical emergencies.

Heart Attack: What It Is and How to Respond

A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked, usually because of a clot in the coronary arteries. The heart doesn’t stop, but it struggles due to this blockage. This is a circulation issue.

Common Symptoms of a Heart Attack:

• Chest pain or discomfort (though not always)

• Nausea or feeling generally unwell

• Pale, clammy skin

• Weakness or dizziness

A heart attack can vary in severity—not everyone who has a heart attack will collapse or fall unconscious. In fact, many people might just feel off or sick. But one sign to watch for is that pale, cold, and clammy feeling. It’s a sign the heart’s not functioning properly due to a blockage.

If someone is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, they need help quickly. Your First Aid at Work training will teach you to act fast, keeping the person comfortable, ensuring they are sitting or lying down, and calling for emergency medical services immediately.

Cardiac Arrest: When the Heart Stops

Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, is when the heart completely stops pumping blood. This is an electrical malfunction, often due to ventricular fibrillation (VF). In this case, the person will have no pulse and will not be breathing. Without immediate intervention, cardiac arrest is fatal.

Signs of Cardiac Arrest:

• No pulse
• No breathing
• Immediate collapse

Cardiac arrest is a true life-or-death emergency. You’ll need to act immediately by calling for emergency services, starting CPR, and using a defibrillator. Every minute without action dramatically reduces the person’s chance of survival.

That’s why in our First Aid courses, we place a focus on defibrillator training. Learning to use a defibrillator quickly and effectively is critical. We recommend the ZOLL AED 3 Semi-Automatic Defibrillator, which is designed for easy use in high-pressure situations.

Watch the video on our content hub of our straight-talking instructor, Paul de Wilde, breaks down the critical difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest:

First Aid at Work: A Critical Skill

Every workplace needs to be ready to respond to emergencies, and First Aid at Work training is an essential part of that. Whether you’re on-site at a construction project, in an office, or working at height, being trained in first aid isn’t just ticking a box for compliance—it’s about saving lives.

Our First Aid at Work course covers everything you need to handle workplace emergencies, from treating minor injuries to responding to life-threatening situations like heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

Training for Real-Life Emergencies

We believe in real-world training that prepares you to act when it matters. Our First Aid at Work courses cover everything from the basics to more advanced scenarios, like using a defibrillator in the event of cardiac arrest.

But our services don’t stop there. We also offer specialised training, including:

• First Aid at Height: For workers who operate in high-risk environments, like construction or rope access work.
• Paediatric First Aid: Focused on handling medical emergencies involving children, ideal for schools, nurseries, and parents.

Visit our training courses to find the right option for your team or organisation. We’re not here for short wins or quick fixes. We’re committed to making sure your team has the right training, the best equipment, and a no-nonsense approach to safety.

What’s the Cost of Doing Nothing?

Too many companies delay or cut corners when it comes to first aid training. But ask yourself this: what’s the real cost of doing nothing? A serious incident at work can lead to massive downtime, legal issues, or worse—a fatality.

First aid training is not just about compliance—it’s about keeping your team safe, reducing risks, and ensuring everyone goes home at the end of the day.

And let’s face it—it’s a lot cheaper to invest in training than to deal with the aftermath of an avoidable tragedy.

Prepare, Don’t Panic

When faced with a medical emergency, like a heart attack or cardiac arrest, panic is not an option. Preparation is key, and that’s exactly what we offer. Our First Aid at Work courses don’t just teach theory—we focus on practical, real-world scenarios to make sure you’re ready to act when it counts.

And remember, we don’t just stop at training. We provide ongoing support, equipment recommendations, and site-specific safety solutions. Whether you need to equip your workplace with the ZOLL AED 3 or ensure your team is fully trained in the right rescue techniques, we’ve got you covered.

Whether it’s a heart attack or cardiac arrest, you need to know the difference and how to respond effectively. And more importantly, you need to make sure your team is equipped to do the same.

Get in Touch Today

Don’t wait for an emergency to strike. Equip your team with the skills and confidence to act. Check out our First Aid at Work course here or give us a call to talk about how we can support your safety needs.

If you need advice on defibrillators, including the ZOLL AED 3, reach out to us for expert recommendations on the best life-saving tools for your workplace