Disease Comparison
Compare similarities and differences between two diseases.
Heart Attack
Unknown
4
Symptoms
6
Causes
0
Treatments
5
FAQs
VS
Retinal Detachment
Moderate
3
Symptoms
0
Causes
0
Treatments
5
FAQs
Overview
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle becomes blocked, preventing the affected tissue from receiving enough oxygen. Without prompt treatment, the heart muscle can become permanently damaged. Symptoms may include chest pressure or discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain that spreads to the arm, back, neck, or jaw.
Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the tissues that support it at the back of the eye. It is a serious eye condition that can cause sudden flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, a shadow or curtain across the field of vision, or loss of vision. Prompt medical treatment is important because prolonged separation can permanently damage retinal cells.
Symptoms
Shared
None
Only in Left Disease
Abdominal Tenderness Difficulty Digesting Food Mucus In Stool Rectal BleedingOnly in Right Disease
Blurred Vision Noisy Breathing Vision LossCauses
Shared
None
Only in Left Disease
Genetics High Cholesterol Insulin Resistance Obesity Smoking StressOnly in Right Disease
None
Diagnosis
Heart Attack
Diagnosis of a heart attack requires urgent clinical assessment. Doctors may use an electrocardiogram to look for changes in the heart's electrical activity and blood tests, especially cardiac troponin, to detect heart muscle injury. Echocardiography, coronary angiography, or other imaging may be used to determine the extent and location of blockage or damage.
Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment is diagnosed through an urgent dilated eye examination. An ophthalmologist examines the retina for tears, holes, bleeding, or separation from the underlying tissue. Ultrasound imaging of the eye may be used when the retina cannot be seen clearly, such as when there is significant bleeding or clouding of the eye. The extent and location of the detachment guide treatment decisions.
Prevention
Heart Attack
Heart attack risk can be reduced by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Taking prescribed cardiovascular medicines as directed and attending recommended medical follow-up can also reduce risk. Some risk factors, such as age and family history, cannot be changed.
Retinal Detachment
Some retinal detachments cannot be prevented, but prompt treatment of retinal tears or holes can prevent certain detachments from developing. People at increased risk should follow recommended eye examinations. Wearing appropriate eye protection during activities that could cause eye injury can reduce trauma-related risk. Sudden flashes, a new shower of floaters, or a curtain-like shadow in vision require immediate eye evaluation.
Risk Factors
Heart Attack
Risk of heart attack increases with smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, increasing age, and a family history of coronary artery disease. Previous cardiovascular disease also increases risk. Some risk factors can be modified, while others, including age and family history, cannot be changed.
Retinal Detachment
Risk factors include increasing age, severe nearsightedness, previous cataract or other eye surgery, previous retinal detachment in either eye, significant eye injury, and a family history of retinal detachment. Certain retinal disorders and conditions that cause abnormal blood-vessel growth or scarring can also increase risk. The presence of some risk factors does not mean detachment will occur.
Treatment
Heart Attack
Treatment comparison will be available soon.
Retinal Detachment
Treatment comparison will be available soon.