Heart Emergencies Explained: Heart Attack, Cardiac Arrest & Heart Failure Although these terms sound similar, heart attack, cardiac arrest, and heart failure are three separate heart-related conditions with different causes and treatments. Being aware of the distinction between these heart problems allows patients and families to respond correctly in emergencies. https://www.diigo.com/item/note/b2knr/sved?k=b050c884f0857ee293938ea02313bd69