How is Brain Attack and Heart Attack different?

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How is Brain Attack and Heart Attack different?

Both heart attack and brain attack are both medical emergencies that can have serious consequences. 

Most people are aware of the term heart attack, but not many are aware of brain attack, also known as stroke. Despite their similarities in the urgent need for immediate medical intervention, heart attacks and brain attacks are different conditions that involve different organs and have different effects on the body.

What is the meaning of brain stroke or attack and heart attack?

Heart attack:

A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked for an extended period. 

This blockage is usually caused by a build-up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, which form a plaque in the coronary arteries (arteries supplying blood to the heart). When a plaque ruptures, it can create a blood clot that obstructs the flow of blood. 

Without sufficient blood flow, the affected part of the heart muscle begins to die, leading to severe damage or even death if not treated immediately. ( Know more about- What is Heart Attack? )

Brain attack:

A brain attack, also known as a stroke, happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting sufficient oxygen and nutrients. The brain cells begin to die within a couple of minutes. 

Strokes can be of two main types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes, which are more common, occur due to an obstruction in a blood vessel supplying the brain, usually due to a blood clot. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding in or around the brain.

What are the causes and risk factors ?

Heart attack:

Causes:

The primary cause of heart attacks is atherosclerosis, which is a condition characterized by the build-up of plaques in the coronary arteries.

Risk factors:

The following factors can increase the risk of developing a heart attack in a person:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Family history of heart disease
• Stress
• Excessive alcohol consumption

Brain attack: 

Causes:

The causes of the two different types of brain attacks are as follows:

• Ischemic Stroke: It is caused by blood clots or other particles that block the brain’s blood vessels. These clots often form in the heart and travel through the bloodstream to the brain (embolic stroke) or may form directly in the brain’s arteries (thrombotic stroke).
• Hemorrhagic Stroke: It is caused by a rupture in a blood vessel in the brain. This can result from conditions such as high blood pressure, aneurysm (bulge in the artery wall due to weakening), arteriovenous malformation (abnormal connection between the arteries and veins), or head injury.

Risk factors:

The following factors can increase the risk of developing a brain attack in a person:

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Heart diseases (such as atrial fibrillation)
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Drug use (particularly cocaine and methamphetamines)
• Family history of stroke

What are the symptoms ?

Heart attack:

A person having a heart attack may show the following symptoms:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Pain or discomfort that radiates to one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweats
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness 

Brain attack:

The symptoms seen in a stroke are:

• Sudden numbness or weakness, usually on one side of the body
• Confusion 
• Trouble in speaking 
• Vision problems
• Difficulty in walking
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance 
• Severe headache

How to diagnose ?

Heart attack:

The following diagnostic tests can help in the diagnosis of a heart attack:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test helps in measuring the electrical activity of the heart and detecting heart damage.
• Echocardiogram: This test helps in obtaining clear images of the heart in motion.
• Blood tests: Certain enzymes present in the blood, like troponin, are indicative of heart muscle damage.
• Chest X-ray: Images of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels can be obtained using a chest x-ray.
• Coronary angiography: This procedure uses a special dye and X-rays to see how the blood flows through the arteries of the heart.

Brain attack:

A brain attack can be diagnosed with the help of the following tests:

• Physical examination: The patient will be checked for signs of stroke such as facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: This test provides detailed images of the brain to help the doctor determine the type of stroke the patient has.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: This test provides more detailed images of the brain tissue and the extent of damage.
• Blood tests: These tests help the doctor to check for blood clotting issues, blood sugar levels, and infection.
• Cerebral angiography: This procedure involves the use of a special dye and X-rays to show the blood flow in the brain’s arteries.

What is the treatment ?

Heart attack:

The various treatment options for a heart attack are:

Medications: The following medications may be prescribed by the doctor:

• Antiplatelet medicines like aspirin 
• Thrombolytics to dissolve clots
• Blood pressure medications like beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors
• Cholesterol-lowering medications (statins)

Surgery: The following surgical treatment options may be recommended for a patient who has had a heart attack:

• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): This procedure includes angioplasty to open the blocked arteries in the heart and stent placement to keep the arteries open.
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): This type of surgery involves bypassing the blocked arteries using blood vessels from other parts of the body. ( Know more about- Cost of Heart Bypass Surgery in Bangalore )

Brain attack:

The various treatment options for brain attack, depending on the type of stroke the patient has had are:

Treatment for ischemic stroke: The various treatment options for this type of stroke are:

• Thrombolytics: Medications like tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) may be prescribed to help dissolve the clots.
• Mechanical thrombectomy: This is a minimally invasive procedure done to remove clots from the brain’s blood vessels.

Treatment for hemorrhagic stroke: The various treatment options for this type of stroke are:

• Surgical interventions: Certain surgical procedures may be performed to repair the blood vessels. This may include clipping aneurysms or removing arteriovenous malformations.
• Medications: Medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms and prevent complications, such as blood pressure-lowering medications or medications to control bleeding.

What are the risks ?

Heart attack:

A heart attack could lead to the following complications:

• Heart failure
• Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)
• Cardiogenic Shock (severe heart damage that prevents the heart from supplying sufficient blood to the body)
• Cardiac arrest (heart stops beating suddenly)
• Pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart)
• Myocardial Rupture (tear in the heart muscle)

Brain attack:

• Paralysis 
• Difficulty in talking or swallowing
• Cognitive difficulties like memory loss
• Depression, anxiety, and mood swings
• Pain
• Dependence on others for daily activities 

We hope that we were able to answer all your questions about the differences between brain attack and heart attack through this article.

If you want more information about the differences between brain attack and heart attack, you can contact a good cardiac surgeon at the best hospitals like Manipal Hospital Whitefield. 

We only aim to give you information through the article and do not recommend any medication or treatment in any way. Only a qualified doctor can give you good advice.