Heart Attack: Immediate First Aid Steps to Save Life

Emergency First Aid Steps for a Heart Attack

In a heart attack emergency, you must take immediate action to save that person. Call any local hospital for emergency ambulance service. It is one of the most common and frequent emergencies in India. Heart attacks are generally fatal and can be life-threatening.

Importance of Acting Fast During a Heart Attack

Heart attack is a serious and life-threatening health emergency condition that requires quick and wise action. Do not neglect even minor symptoms. Immediate treatment reduces heart damage and saves life at the right time. It is important to know that not all heart attacks begin with the sudden, crushing chest pain often seen in movies. Symptoms can be subtle or unusual. Some people, especially those with diabetes, may experience a 'silent' heart attack with vague or easily dismissed symptoms. Symptoms can occur during activity or while at rest. Regardless of your age, gender, or medical history, the most important step is to seek emergency help without delay. Do not forget, prevention is always better than a cure!

Common Symptoms of Heart Attack

If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are sudden or severe, call emergency services immediately. Do not delay.

Heart attack symptoms can vary greatly between individuals. Not everyone experiences severe chest pain. Symptoms may come on suddenly or start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Key symptoms include:

• Pain and discomfort that run beyond your chest area to the other parts of an individual’s upper body, like one or both arms, stomach, teeth, back, neck and jaw. In some cases, there will be no pain in the chest but only in the arms and jaw.
• Chest Discomfort, you may experience pressure, fullness or crushing pain that continues for more than few minutes.
• Anxiety, indigestion
• Unexplained fatigue
• Light headedness
• Cold Sweats
• Vomiting or Nausea
• Additional Signs More Common in Women: Women are more likely than men to experience some of the other symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. A sense of sudden, severe anxiety (often described as a feeling of "impending doom") can also be a sign.

How Should You Respond to a Heart Attack?

These are the steps you need to follow if someone has a heart attack:

• Call for Help: Dial emergency number 112 to request an ambulance or other related emergency medical services.
• Position the Person for Comfort: You must help the person sit comfortably on their bent knees, with their head supported on your shoulders. After that, loosen any kind of tight clothing, like belts or ties, to improve breathing.
• Give Aspirin: Give a chewable Aspirin to the patient before the medical assistance comes; it will increase the blood flow. If that person is allergic to this drug, do not give it, as this can worsen the situation.
• Nitroglycerin: If the person takes prescribed nitroglycerinand if the patient has and elevated BP, then give it to them as per their doctor’s instructions. This will help them to relieve any recurrent angina attacks.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): If that person is not responding, start giving CPR immediately to bring them to consciousness. You can perform hands-only CPR if you are trained in CPR, focusing on chest compressions.
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED): If you can find an AED near you, use it according to the instructions mentioned in the manual. It sends an electric shock to the person's heart to restore the normal heartbeat.
• Stay near the person: You must stay beside the person until any medical help arrives. Provide support and reassurance positively to keep that person calm during that critical situation.
• Monitor the Signs: You must continuously monitor the breathing, pulse rate, and level of consciousness of that person. This will help you to inform any medical staff regarding the recurrent condition of that person in the hospital.

What Needs to Avoid If Heart Attack Occurs?

In case, someone experiences a heart attack, below mentioned actions are specific which you should prevent:

• Avoid delaying the call for emergency help: This is the most dangerous mistake. Do not wait to see if symptoms go away. Do not try to "consult" a doctor by phone first. Call emergency services immediately. Emergency responders can start treatment on the way to the hospital.
• Avoid driving yourself or the person to the hospital: Unless you have no access to an ambulance, do not drive. An ambulance provides immediate care and ensures a safer, faster arrival.
• Panicking: It is crucial to remain as calm as possible. Panicking can increase the person's stress and heart rate. Your primary role is to call for emergency help and follow dispatcher instructions.
• Neglecting the Symptoms: Avoid to assume that above mentioned symptoms are merely temporary heartburn or something. Take these symptoms seriously and consult medical professional immediately.
• Leaving the person unattended: Don’t leave the person unattended. Stick with the person and soothe them until emergency medical assistance arrives.

How to Recognise a Heart Attack?

A heart attack generally occurs when the blood circulation to the heart is compromised. It is an extremely critical medical situation that needs urgent medical attention. Some indications of a heart attack include:

• Pain in the upper body
• Sweating
• Breath shortness
• Vomiting or nausea
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Discomfort or Chest Pain

If you find that anyone is experiencing these symptoms, seek medical emergency care before it gets worse.      

What are the Causes of a Heart Attack?

Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, generally happens when there is an obstruction in the heart’s blood circulation. Different reasons increase the risk of a heart attack, like:

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• Atherosclerosis (blockage of the heart arteries)
• Overweight
• Consumption of Tobacco
• Elevated cholesterol levels
• History of cardiac problems in the family.
• Lack of physical activity
• Tension and anxiety
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Use of illegal drugs

These factors can trigger a blockage and a heart attack, which is why it is crucial to control these factors to prevent a heart attack.

Also Read:

→ How Serious is Cardiomyopathy

→ How to Check Heart Blockage at Home

→ How to Keep the Heart Healthy

→ How to Prevent Heart Disease

→ Is Apple Good for Heart Patients