No. A heart attack is a condition in which a blood clot suddenly blocks an artery and that artery’s blood flow either slows down or stops entirely. Alternatively, SCA is not due to a blockage in the heart and occurs when someone’s heart stops pumping, which is usually caused by an abnormality in the heart's electrical system.

Unlike SCA victims, heart attack victims usually experience symptoms such as chest discomfort or pain and remain conscious. Also unlike SCA victims, most people who have a heart attack survive the event. Most people experience SCA independently from a heart attack and without warning signs.

SCA often occurs in active people who seem to be healthy and have no known medical conditions. In these patients, SCA is the first indication of a heart condition.

As explained by Simon’s Heart, “There are many factors that contribute to a person’s risk of sudden cardiac death. In kids, these risk factors are often genetic abnormalities that can increase the risk of developing dangerous heart rhythms that can be fatal. These genetic conditions often run in families, which is why it is so important to know your family history. In addition to genetic risk factors, some individuals acquire additional risk factors as they age. These can include heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, and high blood pressure to name a few.”