Did Michael Jackson have a heart attack?
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PrintBy now we have all heard the devastating news of Michael Jackson's death, but with his death comes many questions. At this point, the autopsies have not told us what the true cause of death was. There are many coversations and news articles going on out there that describe him having a heart attack, or maybe cardiac arrest, or was it related to a medication overdose? Prompted from those conversations, I received this question:
Michael Jackson recently passed away, reportedly from cardiac arrest. What's the difference between that and a heart attack? I thought they were one and the same.
Heart attack and cardiac arrest are not the same.
A heart attack most often occurs from a condition called coronory artery disease (CAD). CAD is caused by a build up of fatty plaque which can block off the blood and oxygen being supplied to the heart. When this occurs, the heart muscle crys out in pain (angina or chest pain) and if it is not restored quickly, a portion of the heart muscle dies (heart attack or myocardial infarction).
Sudden cardiac arrest is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. If it is not treated (with CPR or emergency advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)), within minutes, it will result in death. This often is the result of an arrythmia, or a problem with the electrical conduction of the heart. There are many types of arrythmias, but only a few that cause the heart to stop beating and result in a cardiac arrest.
During a heart attack, the heart usually doesn't suddenly stop beating. But a cardiac arrest could happen after or during recovery from a heart attack.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, 95% of people who have sudden cardiac arrest die from it—most within minutes. Rapid treatment with a defibrillator can be lifesaving. A defibrillator is a device that sends an electric shock to the heart to try to restore its normal rhythm. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which often are found in public places like airports and office buildings, can be used by bystanders to save the lives of people who are having a cardiac arrest.
So did Michael Jackson die from a heart attack? I can't be sure. We will have to wait for the autopsy report to tell us that his heart showed evidence of CAD and damage from a heart attack.
Could he have had a heart attack? Sure, he could have.
Could he have had a cardiac arrest? Absolutely he did. His heart did stop beating, and he was receiving CPR to try to revive his heart. Was the cause of the cardiac arrest prompted by a heart attack, an arrythmia, or medications? Only the autopsy can answer those questions.
