Question

What is the difference between a heart attack and a cerebral attack?

Answer 1

The difference is of the organ involved.

Explanation:

In both these terms, the word attack means (damage). This damage is due to blockage of coronary arteries i.e arteries supplying heart muscles (in case of heart attack) or of those that supply brain tissues.
The blockage in the arteries causes impairment of blood flow that results in damage (ischemia or death) of the part that is supplied by the territory.
Note: Death of heart muscles can cause inability of heart to contract properly thereby impairing blood supply of brain (causing syncope)

Heart attack is also called as MI (Myocardial Infarction) while another name for the cerebral attack is Stroke.

Heart attack and Stroke differ in signs and symptoms.
Patient of acute MI mostly complains of onset of
sudden chest pain or discomfort with any (one or more) of the following symptoms
breathlessness
profuse sweating,
nausea
palpitations

while the one with stroke may presents with:
Sudden numbness or weakness;
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding;
Sudden Sudden trouble seeing;
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of conciousness

Heart attack and stroke are both medical emergencies.
prompt management is necessary to minimize organ damage and for improving the prognosis.