Is cardiac arrest same as heart attack? Find out!

A heart attack is not the same as a cardiac arrest. In a heart attack, the heart does not usually stop beating. During cardiac arrest, the heart totally stops beating.

With cardiac arrest, the only way to restart the heart is with a defibrillator (dee-FIB-ruh-lay-tur), a machine that sends an electrical shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm. This treatment must be given as soon as possible.

Call 911 and begin CPR immediately. The American Heart Association says that with "hands-only" CPR, anyone can give lifesaving treatment to someone having a cardiac arrest. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest and keep going until emergency personnel arrive. Do not give CPR for heart attack.