Heart stroke vs heart attack

Heart attacks and strokes are life-threatening medical emergencies. They may share some similarities and can be related, but they are very different medical conditions. The quicker a person recognizes a heart attack or stroke , the better the chances of survival and a full recovery. A heart attack — or myocardial infarction MI — happens when a problem somewhere in the body reduces or blocks blood flow to a coronary artery.

Coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with blood flow. They can become narrow if substances such as fat and cholesterol build up. The name of these substances is plaque. Plaque usually builds up over several years. If pieces of plaque break off in a heart artery, a blood clot can form around it. This can stop the normal blood flow from reaching the heart muscle.

Difference between stroke and heart attack symptoms

If this happens, part of the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen. This part begins to die if the blockage does not receive treatment quickly. Scar tissue begins to replace healthy heart tissue. When there is damage or death to the heart muscle due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients, a heart attack can result. A stroke occurs when low blood supply to the brain stops the brain tissue from receiving oxygen and other essential nutrients.

Sometimes a person will have a temporary clot. A brain aneurysm is a bulge in an artery that can burst.