The Difference Between A Heart Attack And Heart Failure
Two major heart conditions that affect older adults in the United States are heart attacks and heart failure. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but they are vastly different conditions.
What Is A Heart Attack
A heart attack is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart gets blocked. The heart dies without oxygen and can put your heart into cardiac arrest, which is when the heart suddenly stops beating.
Many risk factors can contribute to heart attacks, such as lifestyle habits and medical conditions. People with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are more likely to experience a heart attack. Additional high-risk factors include smoking, having a family history of heart attacks and heart disease, kidney disease, and inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Signs Of A Heart Attack
Heart attacks can appear suddenly and are a medical emergency. If you notice someone experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the jaw, neck, back, arm, or shoulder
- Fatigue, light-headedness, or nausea
What Is Heart Failure
Contrary to popular belief, heart failure does not mean your heart has stopped working. Sudden stoppage of the heart is cardiac arrest. Heart failure is a chronic condition that occurs when the heart isn’t pumping enough blood through the body.
Heart failure has some of the same risk factors as a heart attack, such as smoking, inactivity, and having a family history of heart disease.
Signs of Heart Failure
The signs and symptoms of heart failure are not as abrupt as they are for heart attacks. Some people may even have heart failure for a while before they notice anything. However, common signs and symptoms may include:
- Difficulty breathing, even at times of rest
- A persistent cough with mucus buildup
- Swelling of the extremities
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Impaired thinking
- Changes to heartbeat or an increased heart rate
Tips For A Healthy Heart
Improving your heart health isn’t much different than caring for your overall health. If you’re at high risk for a heart attack or heart disease, consider these heart-healthy tips from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet. Eat nutritious, low-fat foods like fresh produce, lean meats, and whole grains.
- Stay active. Your heart is a muscle, and regular physical activity strengthens it like any other muscle.
- Manage stress: Stress increases blood pressure, raising your risk of heart-related conditions. Stress needs to be addressed and managed–not just for heart health, but overall health.
- Get enough sleep: Not getting enough sleep can raise your blood pressure, much like stress. Everyone’s sleep needs differ but aim to get 8 hours each night.
- Don’t smoke, and drink in moderation: Smoking and drinking are dangerous for the heart and other organs in the body. Smoking and drinking are both addictive habits, and you may want to reach out to a professional for tips on how to stop.
Heart Health With Visiting Angels
If you have a heart-related condition that makes it challenging to care for yourself, the team at Visiting Angels is here to help. Our compassionate caregivers can assist with various nonmedical tasks to help you remain independent at home, such as light housekeeping, medication reminders, cooking, and mobility assistance. We can also provide transportation to appointments and help with personal tasks like grooming and bathing.
Contact our Prescott office to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn more about our at-home care services for seniors with heart conditions.