THE VIDEO BELOW EXPLAINS THE DIFFERENCE
MORE INFO ON HEART ATTACK AND STROKE
Heart attacks and strokes are both very dangerous disorders that can be fatal and can happen out of the blue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart attacks impact over 805,000 people in the United States every year and happen every 40 seconds (CDC). According to the CDC, strokes affect more than 795,000 individuals annually and are also highly common. Even more dreadful, someone in the US has a deadly stroke every 3.5 minutes.
According to Northwest Regional Heart & Vascular, there are similarities between heart attacks and strokes because both conditions are brought on by an abrupt interruption of blood flow; the difference is where the cutoff occurs. The blood supply to your heart is suddenly cut off when you have a heart attack. Your brain's blood flow is impacted during a stroke. Given the severity of both disorders, it's crucial to understand the distinction so you can get the right care as soon as possible.
Knowing signs of heart attack and stroke:
It can be useful to understand the differences between heart attack and stroke symptoms. Acting quickly can actually mean the difference between life and death for both, as they require distinct types of treatment (via Tri-City Medical Center). Up until help arrives, knowing the signs might help you make the proper medical choices.
When blood cannot reach the heart during a heart attack, the heart muscle is harmed. Initial symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms as well as chest discomfort, which is typically felt in the center of the chest. Other parts of the body, like the neck, mouth, or stomach, may also hurt. You might feel faint, sick to your stomach, or short of breath (via the American Heart Association).
According to the American Heart Association, the way to spot a stroke is by using the acronym, FAST. The F is for face, meaning the face may be drooping or asymmetrical. A is for arms, meaning to check whether or not the affected person can raise both arms. One arm may feel numb or weak. S stands for speech and whether the person can still speak clearly. If not, then that brings you to T, which means it's time to call for help.
What to know about heart attack and stroke treatment:
Treatment and survivability of a stroke or heart attack depend on the severity and how quickly they are treated (via Healthline). Some stroke victims may suffer long-term effects that impact their ability to walk or talk, as well as a loss of brain function, which may be permanent. People who've suffered a heart attack may have to undergo cardiac rehabilitation and some major lifestyle changes. Sticking with these changes will help prevent a recurrence, which may be far more serious.
The most important thing is to take steps to reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke (via Columbus Regional Health). This means making healthy lifestyle choices, including quitting smoking, exercising, and eating a proper diet. You should also begin screening for vascular disease by age 20.
The biggest similarity between heart attacks and strokes is that, in both cases, time is of the essence (via Cone Health). A stroke cuts blood flow to the brain, causing brain tissue to die. This is also the case with a heart attack — the longer it takes to be treated, the more heart tissue may be damaged beyond repair. If you suspect that you or someone you're with is having a heart attack or stroke, make sure you know the signs and call 911 quickly. Minutes can mean the difference between recovery and death.