Although both can cause death if not treated properly, heart attack and heart failure are two different conditions. The difference between a heart attack and heart failure lies in the causes, symptoms, and treatment.
A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle cells do not get enough oxygen because there is a blockage in the coronary arteries. These attacks occur suddenly and can worsen quickly. Meanwhile, heart failure occurs when the heart muscles weaken slowly, so that eventually they are no longer able to pump blood throughout the body.
Differences in Heart Attack and Heart Failure in terms of causes
A heart attack begins with the formation of cholesterol plaques in the coronary arteries, which are blood vessels that provide nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle.
This plaque can enlarge and cause the walls of the coronary vessels to narrow or even become blocked. In addition, blockages can also occur when part of the plaque ruptures and the debris is released into the bloodstream into smaller blood vessels.
Blockages in the coronary arteries cause the heart muscle to lack oxygen and nutrients from the blood. This condition is called coronary heart disease. When the blockage is total, causing damage to the heart muscle, a heart attack occurs.
While heart failure is caused by a combination of various diseases that weaken the heart muscle slowly over a long period of time, until finally the heart is no longer able to pump blood throughout the body. Heart failure can be caused by a heart attack, but it can also be caused by:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) which causes the heart muscle to have to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, and over time the heart muscle will weaken
- Heart valve disorders that cause the heart muscle to work harder to pump blood
- Damage to the heart muscle due to alcohol consumption, viral infections, or the use of certain drugs
- Congenital heart disease
- Lung disease
- Diabetes (diabetes)
Difference Between Heart Attack and Heart Failure in terms of Symptoms
Heart attacks usually occur suddenly. Symptoms that appear can be different for each person. In general, the symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest tightness or pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest that can radiate to other parts of the body, such as the neck, jaw, or arms
- Dizzy
- A cold sweat
- Short breath
- Nausea, vomiting, and a burning feeling in the chest
- Anxiety or panic when a heart attack occurs
Meanwhile, the symptoms of heart failure usually develop and worsen slowly. Some of the common symptoms of heart failure are:
- Shortness of breath or shortness of breath, especially when lying down
- Heart rate feels fast (beating) and irregular
- Tired easily
- Prolonged cough
- Swelling in the legs, feet, or abdomen due to fluid buildup (edema) due to heart pump failure
- Weight gain due to fluid buildup
Difference Between Heart Attack and Heart Failure in terms of Handling
A heart attack requires immediate treatment to prevent further damage to the heart muscle. As a first step, the doctor will usually give blood-thinning drugs to reduce blood clots around the broken plaque fragments.
The doctor will also usually give medicine nitroglycerin to dilate blocked blood vessels. After that, further treatment to overcome the blockage can be done with installation stent or by surgery bypass.
In the case of heart failure, heart function that has been lost is usually irreversible. However, treatment needs to be done so that the heart condition does not get worse. The treatment given by the doctor depends on the cause of the patient's heart failure. Some of the treatments that are generally done to treat heart failure are:
- Administration of blood thinners or nitroglycerin according to the doctor's instructions if heart failure is caused by coronary heart disease
- Giving blood pressure-lowering drugs if heart failure is caused by high blood pressure
- Insertion of a pacemaker (pacemaker) if there is a heart rhythm disorder
- Giving diuretic drugs to remove fluid that has accumulated in the body through urine
- Lifestyle changes. such as limiting salt consumption, quitting smoking, and maintaining ideal body weight
In conclusion, heart attack and heart failure are two different conditions. Heart attacks are caused by blockage of coronary arteries (coronary heart disease), while heart failure can be caused by coronary heart disease or other diseases, such as heart valve disorders, hypertension, or lung disease.
To prevent heart disease, you are advised to reduce the consumption of fatty foods, quit smoking, limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and do regular exercise.
If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or other symptoms as mentioned above, immediately consult a doctor so that treatment can be done quickly.
Written by:
dr. Irene Cindy Sunur
