Mora than 350,000 Americans go into cardiac arrests every year.

During one of these emergencies, CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival.

Medical experts say it's important for everyone to know what to do when someone is having a heart attack and it's just as important to know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest.

A heart attack can happen when blood flow to the heart is blocked and can increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

When cardiac arrest happens, the heart stops pumping blood.

If someone is performing CPR, those movements mimic the heart and help the body with blood flow.

"It can happen to a close family member, a friend, somebody that you're with. And oftentimes, there's not going to be a doctor, a nurse, a healthcare professional nearby to provide CPR. In those cases, it's very important for everyone to have basic knowledge because you can provide that you can provide CPR and save a life," DHR Health Cardiologist Dr. Christian Avalos said.

In the U.S. only one in two people know how to help with CPR in a life-or-death situation.

Experts say you should ask the person who looks unresponsive if they are okay. If they don't respond, call 911 and start doing chest compressions at 100 to 120 beats per minute and continue performing CPR until help gets there.

Experts say you should also know where an AED is when visiting public places or offices.

To learn more on how to perform CPR, click here.