Health

Michael Jackson: Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack

by tvtayber | June 25, 2009 at 02:44 pm

4011 views | 3 Recommendations | 12 comments

Pop icon Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009. Paramedics rushed to Jackson's home after suffering a cardiac arrest.

So what is a cardiac arrest and how does it differ from a heart attack?

A heart attack is when there is damage to the muscles of the heart, usually due to lack of oxygen. When a blood clot forms and blood cannot get to the heart, the organ becomes damaged and begins to die. During a heart attack the heart will continue to beat. Unlike in Sudden Cardiac Arrest, where the heart stop beating.

A cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping blood. As a result vital organs and tissue do not get oxygen.

Most cases of SCA are due to an arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation. Other electrical problems in the heart also can cause SCA. Several factors can cause the electrical problems that lead to SCA. These factors include coronary artery disease (CAD), severe physical stress, inherited disorders, and structural changes in the heart.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest usually causes death if it's not treated within minutes.

The cause of Michael Jackson's cardiac arrest has not been released. Though he had reportedly been under a great deal of stress, preparing for his upcoming shows at the O2 arena in London,

it is not known at this time if the rehearsals have had anything to do with his collapse and cardiac arrest.

More information about Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack visit the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

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OaklandCA (not verified)

at 15:56 on June 25th, 2009

The King, I love you Michael!!! The first album I ever got in my life was ”ABC.” I have never wavered from the surrealness of who you became and look at you now. The stars are exploding all over the universe, we welcome you into a new life. There will never be another and we will always remember Michael Jackson.

Farewell Beloved!

nellie (not verified)

at 16:12 on June 25th, 2009

I LOVE YOU MICHAEL U ARE AWSOME UR MUSIC ROCKS HOPE YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE R.I.P LOVE UR BIGGEST FAN NELLIE AND HI MICHAELS FAMILY HES IN A BETTER PLACE KNOW BUT WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS THAT HAPPEN HOPE ALL OF YOU GUYS FEEL BETTER ABOUT THE HOLE THING BUT I CANT BELIEVE IT NIETHER WELL BUYYYYYYYYYYYY MICHAEL JACKSON WITH LOTS OF LOVE AND HUGS NELLIE WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU ............

Robyn Page (not verified)

at 16:23 on June 25th, 2009

REST IN PEACE MICHAEL JACKSON. Wish I Could Have Gone Shopping With You. THANK YOU FOR LEAVING US YOUR WONDERFUL MUSIC. You Will FOREVER Be The King Of Pop!

D Gayle Sims (not verified)

at 17:00 on June 25th, 2009

Micheal You Will Alway Have a Musical Place in My Heart Forever. Enjoy Living Free as a Bird Now. Your Soul Is now Free to Play and Dance in Heaven.

Frubert (not verified)

at 17:20 on June 25th, 2009

Um actually lol the difference is far from subtle. Cardiac arrest can result from tons of things (allergic reaction, suffocation, etc.). A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, but it's certainly not the exclusive cause.

Michael Jackson Death (not verified)

at 19:50 on June 25th, 2009

Rip Michael. I enjoyed listening to your music all these years! And you will be missed my millions across the world!

cps (not verified)

at 20:02 on June 25th, 2009

Thanks for reiterating this. I find it annoying how reporters in the media use "heart attack" and "cardiac arrest" interchangeably when they don't know the first thing about either of them. I understand not everyone has studied in a health related field but that is no excuse for faulty reporting. As you said the difference is far from subtle, and using the wrong terminology is dangerous.

1LOVEANGEL77 (not verified)

at 20:16 on June 25th, 2009

I HAVE LOVED YOU FROM THE FIRST TIME I SAW YOU ON MY TV SCREEN. ENJOY HEAVEN TENDER HEART!!!

daren (not verified)

at 21:40 on June 25th, 2009

full video of him being picked up at his home and him arriving at the hospital over at http://jjpeg.com/watch28013.html -- and download a recording of the 911 call over at http://jjpeg.com/file2018451.html if you wanna hear it.. you have to do a questionnaire to get into the site for some reason but it works so whatever.. what a crazy day. RIP Mikey

mary ali (not verified)

at 11:58 on June 26th, 2009

Michael Jackson let people say what they will but there will never be any denying that you were a caring and loving spirit, perfectionist, and YOU WERE, YOU ARE AND YOU ALWAYS WILL BE THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER IN THE WORLD. WE PRAY THAT GOD GRANT YOU PEACE.