How can I tell the difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest?
A. With sudden cardiac arrest, there are no symptoms that indicate the heart is having a problem. The only outward sign of sudden cardiac arrest is when a person becomes unconscious because the heart stops beating suddenly. With a heart attack, the lack of oxygen to the heart can cause symptoms such an uncomfortable feeling of tightness or heaviness in the chest that may travel to the neck and arms (often the left side). Other symptoms include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or vomiting, weakness or lightheadedness and paleness.
