MANILA - Many get confused with cardiac arrest and heart attack, with most thinking that the two are just the same condition.

In an interview on DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Dr. John David Tan, a cardiologist, explained that cardiac arrest is often an effect of a heart attack.

"By the name itself (cardiac arrest), hindi na po tumitibok ang puso. Either the heart does not pump anymore, because of that, hindi na po efficient ang daloy ng dugo sa utak. That's why yung pinaka-common manifestation of sudden cardiac death is loss of consciousness, nawawalan ng malay po ang tao," he said.

"The most common cause of sudden cardiac death is heart attack. I think that was the case nung nangyari kay Direk Wenn (Deramas), sudden cardiac death due to massive heart attack," Tan added.

Heart attack is often caused by a blockage in the veins, making it difficult for blood to circulate the body.

For Tan, it is important for a heart attack patient to undergo cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as soon as possible.

"Kapag hindi na-CPR within a minute, there is a higher chance of dying every minute," he added.

Upon diagnosis of the cause of the heart attack, a person may undergo emergency angioplasty to remove the blockage.

"Binubuka po 'yung 100 percent blockage na nag-cause ng heart attack," Tan said.

Aside from giving of first aid, patients should also be aware of symptoms of heart attack, which includes chest pains, difficulty in breathing, and breaking into a cold sweat.

Deramas passed away Monday of cardiac arrest due to a heart attack.

Deramas was in a hospital to see his sister who also earlier succumbed to a heart attack.