Know the Differences Between a Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack

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Cardiac arrest is often sudden and shocking. It can happen without warning, even in young, healthy individuals.

LeBron James’ 18-year-old son, Bronny, is recovering after he collapsed Monday during a workout in Los Angeles and was rushed to the hospital. “Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest. Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital,” according to a family statement. He is now in stable condition and no longer in the ICU, according to the family.

Here’s what to know about cardiac arrest.

What is cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops beating and stops pumping blood to the rest of the body. In those moments, the brain and other vital organs don’t receive oxygen rich blood which they need to survive. Cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to the heart’s muscle becomes limited or blocked, causing the classic symptom of chest pain.

Prompt recognition and quickly starting CPR is vital: Permanent brain damage can occur in as little as five minutes if oxygen rich blood doesn’t reach the brain, and death can occur soon after. Fortunately, if performed immediately, CPR can double the chance of survival from a cardiac arrest happening outside a hospital setting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What causes cardiac arrest?

The age of the patient may play a big role in the cause of sudden cardiac arrest, said Dr. Eugene Chung, a sports cardiologist at the University of Michigan. In athletes over 35, it’s often attributed to coronary disease, Chung said, referring to age-related plaque buildup in the arteries of the heart. But for those under 35, the causes of sudden cardiac arrest are not clear. It could be the result of genetic defects, as well as heart malfunctions like a heart attack or problems with the valves of the heart.

How common is cardiac arrest?

While the exact incidence of cardiac arrest among athletes is not known, Dr. Rory Weiner, a sports cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said the number of young athletes who die of cardiac arrest is estimated to be between 1 in 50,000 and 1 in 100,000 per year.