“Dad had heart failure.”
“Uncle suffered a heart attack.”
We hear these words all the time, on news headlines, in hospitals, even in family WhatsApp groups. Just recently, the conversations around the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest are making waves after the sudden and unfortunate death of famous actress Shefali Zariwala. But the average person has no clue when it comes to heart attack vs heart failure. And sometimes, neither do patients newly diagnosed with the condition. At SAAOL Heartcare Delhi, under the guidance of Dr. Bimal Chhajer, we meet hundreds of patients who are so terrified of procedures that they do not fully understand them. Our goal is clear: to improve heart health through non-invasive heart treatment, particularly with EECP treatment in Delhi/NCR, and provide a safer alternative to bypass surgery, demonstrating that heart disease can be effectively treated without surgery. Heart attack and heart failure are not the same. Yes, both of them come under heart disease, but there are several differences when it comes to heart attack vs heart failure, which you need to understand to get the most appropriate heart disease treatment.
At SAAOL, we have heard patients’ concerns that most places ignore. One minute, you’re being told your ECG looks suspicious. Next, you’re Googling terms like ejection fraction, myocardial infarction, and somehow, angioplasty also enters the chat.
Stop. Breathe. You’re not alone. This blog is for the confused son. The panicked mother. The worried diabetic uncle. It’s for you, looking for real answers that simplify two very different, but often confused, heart conditions.
What Is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is like a plumbing disaster inside your chest. One or more of the arteries in your heart is suddenly blocked (often by a clot resting on top of a bed of fatty plaque), and the blood supply to that part of the heart muscle is cut off. Within minutes, that area starts to die permanently.
Causes of Heart Attack:
- Blocked arteries due to cholesterol plaques
- Sudden rupture of plaque leading to a blood clot
- Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, high BP, and stress
- Ignoring early angina or breathlessness
Common Symptoms of Heart Attack:
- Crushing chest pain (left side or center)
- Radiating pain to the jaw or left arm
- Nausea, sweating, dizziness
- Sudden breathlessness or collapse
Not all heart attacks happen dramatically. It can feel like indigestion or back pain, and it is common in women, diabetics, and elderly patients. It is known as a “silent heart attack.”
What Is Heart Failure?
Heart failure isn’t about blockages. It’s about a heart that is worn out and weak. It still beats, but it can’t pump blood efficiently to the rest of your body. This causes fluid to accumulate gradually in the lungs, legs, and other organs. Think of it as a water pump that’s not clogged but inefficient.
Causes of Heart Failure:
- Past untreated heart attacks
- High blood pressure over the years
- Valve diseases or cardiomyopathy
- Alcohol, toxins, and certain infections
- Poorly controlled diabetes
Common Symptoms of Heart Failure:
- Shortness of breath while lying down
- Swelling in feet and legs
- Fatigue even after light work
- Cough or wheezing, especially at night
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
Key Indicator: Doctors monitor something called the Ejection Fraction (EF) — a percentage of how much blood your heart pumps with each beat.
- Normal EF: 55% and above
- Moderate heart failure: EF 35–50%
- Severe heart failure: EF below 35%
Can a Heart Attack Lead to Heart Failure?
Yes, and that’s where many people get confused with heart attack vs heart failure. When a heart attack damages a large amount of the heart muscle, pumping ability falls, and that’s the long-term route to heart failure. But the opposite is not true: Heart failure does not automatically indicate that you had a heart attack. There are likely many reasons this is happening, potentially including years of untreated high blood pressure, alcohol abuse, or viral infections.
Let’s see the clear comparison between heart attack, heart failure, and cardiac arrest.
Heart attack vs Heart failure vs Cardiac arrest: Comparison
Key Diagnostic Tests in Heart Attack vs Heart Failure
Here at SAAOL Heartcare Delhi, we can help you interpret your tests and keep you away from making panic decisions:
| Test Name | Helps Diagnose | Used For |
| ECG | Heart attack | Immediate changes |
| Echo (Echocardiogram) | Heart failure | Measures EF |
| Troponin levels | Heart attack | Confirms muscle damage |
| Coronary Angiography | Heart blockage | Measures artery narrowing |
| BNP Test | Heart failure | Measures fluid overload |
Saaol Heartcare EECP treatment in Delhi/NCR can improve both conditions when performed under adequate supervision, and not just that, complete patient education is highly emphasised at SAAOL Heartcare for when it comes to heart attack vs heart failure, especially for patients who want to save themselves from bypass surgery and gain strength without imposing any risk.
Still Confused? Okay, let’s make it simpler:
- Imagine your heart is a building:
- A heart attack is like one of the water pipes bursting — sudden, urgent, and damaging.
- Heart failure is like the building’s motor slowing down, unable to push enough water to the upper floors.
- Both affect water supply (i.e., oxygen and blood to your body), but the cause and treatment are entirely different.
Now, you understand the basic difference between a heart attack vs heart failure
How Zero-Oil Cooking & Lifestyle Modification Reverse Heart Disease
SAAOL Heartcare Delhi has developed a non-surgical heart disease treatment program by which you can reverse heart disease without having surgery with non-invasive EECP treatment, Zero Oil Diet, Detox therapy, and Lifestyle Modifications combined.
For Heart Attack Prevention:
- Reduces cholesterol buildup
- Prevents new plaque formation
- Helps avoid stents and bypass surgery
For Heart Failure:
- Less salt, less water retention
- Improves blood pressure control
- Boosts energy levels with plant-based proteins
In combination with the EECP treatments, yoga, stress management, and routine medical follow-ups, over 6 lakh+ people have rebuilt their lives without a stent or bypass surgery.
When to Suspect Heart Failure After a Heart Attack
Distinguishing between heart attack vs heart failure, if you or a loved one has recently had a heart attack, look for these signs of early heart failure:
- Shortness of breath when you are at rest or doing light activity
- Gaining weight rapidly (fluid retention)
- Frequent dry cough
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Swollen feet in the evening
Don’t delay. These are not normal symptoms after recovery.
Why SAAOL’s Approach Works for Heart Disease Treatment
SAAOL, which has 135+ centers in India, has successfully treated more than 6 lakh cases of heart patients. The SAAOL Science is quite simple, yet very effective:
- Diagnosis clarity — not panic
- Reversal driven by lifestyle, not a lifetime on medication
- Non-surgical heart treatments + diet + yoga + EECP
- Care that puts you and your health first, where you are listened to and not rushed
FAQs
- Are heart attack and heart failure the same?
No. A heart attack is a sudden blockage in the heart’s arteries, while heart failure is a long-term condition where the heart can’t pump blood properly.
- Can heart failure happen after a heart attack?
Yes. If a large part of the heart is damaged during a heart attack, it can lead to heart failure later.
- What are the common symptoms of heart failure?
Fatigue, breathlessness, swelling in the legs, and irregular heartbeat are key symptoms of heart failure.
- Can EECP treatment help with heart failure or heart attack recovery?
Yes. EECP therapy at SAAOL Heartcare Delhi helps improve blood flow, strengthens weak heart muscles, and can avoid bypass surgery.
Conclusion:
Don’t let anyone frighten you into making hasty decisions. A heart attack is a medical emergency. Chronic heart failure is the most obvious example of the disease. Both should be managed and not necessarily surgically. You deserve time to understand heart attack vs heart failure. You deserve second opinions. And, most of all, you deserve a treatment plan that includes your voice.
Schedule an appointment at SAAOL Heartcare Delhi right now. Let’s talk about your heart like real people, not just reports.
With Dr. Bimal Chhajer, our non-surgical heart treatment in Delhi/NCR programs with EECP therapy has helped people across India avoid bypass surgery and even reverse heart disease without surgery. So, don’t wait, and contact our experts today!