What's the Difference Between a Stroke and a Heart Attack?

A heart attack and stroke are both serious health conditions that occur when there's a blockage in the arteries (blood vessels). This blockage causes a reduction in proper blood flow to the heart during a heart attack and to the brain during a stroke. Both conditions can cause significant damage to the affected organ and become life-threatening if not treated quickly.

These conditions share some of the same risk factors, like high blood pressure and smoking. Heart attacks tend to be slightly more common; 805,000 people have a heart attack each year in the United States, compared to 795,000 people who have strokes.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack vs. Stroke

The symptoms of a heart attack and a stroke can appear suddenly and shouldn't be ignored. Both conditions have unique symptoms; knowing these signs early and seeking immediate medical attention can be life-saving. Here's a breakdown of how symptoms compare:

Differences

Each condition affects different body parts: a heart attack affects the heart, while a stroke affects the brain. Both conditions can have varying long-term effects and use different diagnostic testing to determine the cause of your condition.

Affect a Different Body Part

A heart attack happens when a blockage in the coronary arteries prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart muscle. This can cause damage to the heart and leave the organ unable to pump blood effectively.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, which can happen for two reasons. With an ischemic stroke, a blood clot blocks a brain artery. With a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel in the brain suddenly bursts and causes bleeding in the brain.

Long-Term Effects Vary

If a heart attack isn't treated quickly, the lack of blood flow can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle. This will cause the muscle to weaken and increase the risk of heart failure, which makes everyday activities harder because of fatigue or shortness of breath. A heart attack can also cause arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), which can lead to life-threatening conditions like sudden cardiac arrest.

A stroke can cause sudden paralysis or weakness, often to one side of the body. Some people have difficulty walking, moving, or performing daily tasks following a stroke. A stroke may lead to speech difficulties, like trouble finding words or understanding language. Some people who experience a stroke may also encounter long-term concerns with memory, problem-solving, and thinking.

Different Diagnostic Tests

To diagnose a heart attack, healthcare providers use several tests to examine your heart function and detect damage. These include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): Records the heart's electrical activity and can reveal abnormal rhythms or muscle damage
• Transthoracic echocardiogram: Uses soundwaves to create images of the heart to check overall structure and function
• Chest X-ray: Creates images of the chest to check for heart enlargement, lung problems, and other abnormalities
• Blood tests: Show increased levels of proteins in the blood that may indicate the heart muscle is injured
• Coronary angiography: Injects a special dye into the arteries around the heart to locate blocked or narrowed arteries
• Stress test: Evaluates how the heart responds to stress

Stroke diagnosis often uses other tests, such as:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan: Determines what type of stroke you experienced by taking detailed images of the brain
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Creates images of the brain to identify where the stroke occurred 
• Blood tests: Assesses blood cell count, proteins, antibodies, and other indicators of overall health

Similarities

While there are differences between heart attack and stroke, they also share similarities. These include their risk factors, prevention strategies, and the urgency of treatment necessary.

Similar Risk Factors

Heart attacks and strokes share many of the same risk factors because both conditions are linked to problems with blood flow. These risk factors include:

• High blood pressure, which increases the risk of blockages in the blood flow
• High cholesterol, which contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries
• Smoking, which can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of blood clots
• Diabetes and obesity, which can increase cardiovascular events (like heart attack and stroke)

A family history of either condition can also raise your chances of developing the same. Certain lifestyle habits, such as limited physical activity, eating a diet high in fat, and drinking excess alcohol, increase the risk of both conditions, too.

Similar Prevention Strategies

Preventing heart attacks and strokes involves similar lifestyle changes that focus on improving heart and blood vessel health. Here are some strategies:

• Eat a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure
• Regular exercise can help you manage obesity, improve circulation, and strengthen the heart and blood vessels
• Avoid or quit smoking to reduce the risk of damaged blood vessels
• Manage stress through relaxation, meditation, and social support to reduce the overall risk of cardiovascular events
• Monitor and treat underlying conditions that raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
  

Medical Emergencies

Both heart attacks and strokes are medical emergencies that require immediate attention to prevent serious, long-term damage and, in some cases, death.

During a heart attack, quick treatment can save the heart muscle from permanent damage. During a stroke, timely medical treatment can prevent brain cells from dying. Act fast by calling 911 at the first signs of either condition, as this can significantly improve the outcomes and recovery of the person experiencing the event.

Can You Get Both a Stroke and a Heart Attack?

It is possible to have both a stroke and a heart attack in your lifetime because problems with blood flow cause both conditions. Someone with risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes is more likely to experience both events. Because they share many risk factors, taking steps to improve heart health can also help prevent strokes and lower the risk of heart attacks.

When and Who to Contact for Support

You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue, as these could be early signs of heart problems. Dizziness, numbness on one side of your body, or sudden difficulty speaking could be signs of a stroke.

People experiencing either a heart attack or stroke are not often able to seek care on their own. If you notice someone else having these symptoms, it's important to call 911 right away for medical attention.

Healthcare providers like a cardiologist (a doctor specializing in heart conditions) and a neurologist (a doctor specializing in the brain and spinal cord) will need to complete the diagnosis and start treatment as soon as the event happens. They also play an important role in your overall recovery.

A Quick Review

Heart attacks and strokes result from blockages in the arteries, which can block blood flow to the heart and brain. A heart attack affects the heart, and a stroke affects the brain. While these conditions don't share symptoms or long-term effects, they do have prevention strategies and risk factors in common.

If you notice someone experiencing symptoms of either event, calling 911 for immediate medical intervention can save their life.