MedDroidStroke vs Heart Attack
Stroke vs heart attack: differences in symptoms, tests and treatment
Written & medically reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS · Last reviewed
Medically reviewedA stroke affects the brain and a heart attack affects the heart, but both are caused by a sudden loss of blood flow and both are emergencies. Stroke usually shows as sudden face drooping, arm or leg weakness and trouble speaking, while a heart attack usually causes chest pain or pressure. For either one, call 108 or 112 immediately, because treatment works best within the first few hours.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Stroke | Heart attack |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | A blocked artery in the brain (ischaemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke) | A blocked artery supplying the heart muscle |
| Typical symptoms | Sudden face drooping, weakness or numbness of arm or leg (often one side), slurred speech, confusion, loss of balance or vision | Chest pressure or pain, spreading to arm, jaw or back, sweating, breathlessness, nausea |
| Onset & timing | Sudden, over seconds to minutes | Sudden, or building over minutes; may come and go |
| Key tests | Urgent CT or MRI brain scan, blood sugar, clotting tests | ECG, troponin blood test, echocardiogram |
| Treatment approach | Clot-dissolving or clot-removal treatment within hours for suitable ischaemic strokes; then rehabilitation | Emergency angioplasty or clot-dissolving medicine; then heart medicines and rehabilitation |
| Danger signs | Any BE FAST sign: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call | Chest pain lasting more than a few minutes, fainting, severe breathlessness |
General patterns only. Symptoms overlap and vary from person to person. On a phone, scroll the table sideways to see both columns.
How doctors tell them apart
- Stroke shows brain signs (weakness, speech, vision); heart attack shows chest and breathing signs.
- A brain scan is needed before stroke treatment to see whether it is a clot or a bleed.
- An ECG and troponin test confirm a heart attack.
- Both share risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation.
See a doctor urgently if
- Face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty, even if it passes: call 108 or 112
- Sudden loss of vision, severe dizziness or loss of balance
- Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
- Sudden severe headache unlike any before
- Note the time symptoms started and tell the doctors
In an emergency, call your local emergency number (in India: 108 or 112).
Frequently asked questions
What does BE FAST mean?
Balance loss, Eye/vision changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services. It helps people spot a stroke quickly.
What if the symptoms go away?
Symptoms that come and go may be a "mini-stroke" (TIA). It is still an emergency because a full stroke may follow.
Should I give aspirin for a stroke?
Not without medical advice. Some strokes are caused by bleeding, which aspirin can worsen. Call 108 or 112 and follow their advice.
Can a heart problem cause a stroke?
Yes. Irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation can form clots that travel to the brain.
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Not a diagnosis. This page gives general health information to help you talk to a doctor; it is not medical advice and does not replace an examination or tests. Do not start, stop or change any medicine without a qualified clinician. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. In an emergency, call your local emergency number (in India: 108 or 112).