What is the difference between a Heart Attack and a Stroke? Are they alike at all?

Question

Thanks!

Answer 1

That is actually a great question, which I believe most people would not think of. In a very real sense, they are one and the same. That is because they are both caused by a decreased or absent FLOW OF BLOOD. That's the key. No blood...no oxygen....no oxygen.....death. Maybe not the death of the "whole person", but death of cells and tissues and muscles such as your heart and brain is a very bad thing in itself, and causes the conditions we call "heart attacks and strokes". The "tubes" carrying this blood are of course your veins and arteries, and their flow can be messed up just like any Fire engine hose in a way: 1) Pump Problem..your heart 2). Dirty hose inside, flow is reduced by reduced "space" to flow. 3). A "piece of junk" inside the hose breaks off and eventually blocks flow elsewhere. 4). The hose blows a hole in inself.. This is an oversimplification of Some of the reasons for heart attacks and strokes, but I think you get the idea...no blood flow, no oxygen...not good.

Answer 2

They are similar but not identical.

There are two types of stroke: hemorrhagic (bleeding) and thrombotic (clotting). The clotting type is more common, and it is most similar to the heart attack. In the clotting stroke, a small blood clot breaks off and travels to the brain, blocking off a blood vessel. When the brain does not get enough blood supply, that portion of the brain literally dies from lack of oxygen. The portion of the brain that dies might control speech, or movement on one side, or something and that will be the symptom that you get. The bleeding type is usually more catastrophic and can cause a "thunderclap" headache and loss of consciousness as the first symptom, or it may just be localized like the clotting one. In either case, a stroke can cause death or permanent damage, or it is possible to completely recover.

A heart attack is usually like the clotting stroke. A blood clot forms at the site of an artery that is narrowed and damaged by fatty deposits and inflamation. The blood flow is cut off suddenly and a portion of the heart muscle dies from lack of oxygen. This causes the typical pain, and the heart can suddenly stop beating which is called cardiac arrest. A heart attack can also kill you, or you can have permanent heart damage.

The risk of both is reduced by keeping a low blood pressure, a low blood sugar, and a low blood cholesterol. Eating fruit and vegetable, as well as whole grain and regular exercise, stop smoking will help prevent both stroke and heart attack

Answer 3

Heart Attacks and Strokes are different...however congestive heart failure is very similar to a stroke. Heart Attacks are when the muscles actually stop contracting or beating (thump thump) therefore not allowing very needed blood to be forced though your arteries and circulatory system. A stroke is when a blood clot is lodged in an artery in the brain causing a backup of pressure. Over time if untreated this blood vessel will burst eliminating needed blood flow to a portion of the brain, which in turn creates the usual symptoms as loss of motor skills, partial paralysis, loss of speech and memory loss. The brain is obviously a very complicated organ so many times symptoms can vary. Heart failure is when that aforementioned clot gets stuck in a blood vessel that feeds the heart muscles. The muscle stops getting is required blood and begins to atrophy...ie. die. Usually there are pronounced symptoms for this...extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and an overall feeling of pressure in the chest...the blood isn't getting out of the heart. Hope this helps.
And I'm not a doctor, but I did stay at a holiday inn last night.

Answer 4

A heart attack is a blood clot or blockage in the heart. A stroke is usually a clot in the brain, rarely it is a type that causes bleeding in the brain. They both cause permanent damage to the tissue due to lack of blood flow. Either can kill you or leave you disabled.

Answer 5

A heart attack is something that occurs in the heart. A stroke is an attack that occurs in the brain.

Answer 6

no, they are not the same, although them often have the same causes, high cholesterol, smoking, etc.

a heart attack is when part of the heart dies.

a stroke is a when blot clot blocks an artery in the brain.

both are deadly serious

Answer 7

They are the exact same thing (fat buildup in a blood vessel cutting off blood flow) except for one occurs in your brain (stroke) and the other occurs in your heart (heart attack)

Answer 8

a heart attack occurs when a blot clot in your heart/near it ruptures. stroke is when a clot in your brain/near it ruptures. basically, bad heart health, not enough exercise, diabetes, ect. cause both.