Heart attack is often thought to be caused by intense stress or vigorous exercise—a higher chance of a heart attack if you have a diagnosed heart condition. Heart attacks can occur anywhere and at any time. This is why getting treatment early for heart attacks is so important.
A heart attack can be life-threatening and must be treated immediately. You can treat even minor symptoms quickly. If you wait, your chances of getting severe heart disease or death are very high. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, a person in the United States has a heart attack every 40 seconds.
Signs and symptoms of heart attack
A heart attack is when you feel chest pain that lasts more than 15 min. Some experience mild chest pain, while others feel severe pain. This condition is commonly described as pressure or chest heaviness. However, some people feel no pain. Women will feel less severe symptoms of a heart attack, such as pain in the back, nausea, and jaw pain.
Heart attacks can happen suddenly, but many people notice the symptoms at least an hour or two before they occur. First aid training and cardiac arrest CPR might help to identify the symptoms and save a life. Here are some signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
- A heart attack is when you feel a slight or severe pain in your chest. Heart attacks occur when the blood supply is cut off. Sometimes people don’t feel any pain after a heart attack.
- It can cause shortness of breath, but discomfort in the chest is not always the case. However, it can occur before you feel any chest discomfort.
- Nausea, jaw pain, heartburn, and back pain are all common in women, particularly those with larger bodies.
- You may feel tired, lazy, light-headed, or fainting.
- Both one or both arms may feel pain.
- From the neck down to the upper stomach, you will feel pain.
Here are some steps to take if someone has a cardiac attack
Picture someone in your circle of friends, family, or work suffering from a heart attack. You can think about how you can help save someone’s life while they wait for emergency rescue personnel to arrive. Here are some first aid guidelines for heart attacks that you can use to comfort heart attack victims until the medical team comes.
Call 9-1-1
Chest pain can be caused by chest pain. Call 911 immediately to get help. The less damage to your heart’s health, the sooner you call 911 and get assistance from the medical team. The hospital doctors will conduct a test to confirm that you have suffered a heart attack. They will then recommend the best treatment. You can survive better if you get emergency medical care sooner. When faced with such situations, it is essential to act quickly.
Get Medicine For Chest Pain
You can use nitroglycerin to treat chest pain if you or your loved one has a heart attack. If you do not have heartburn, your healthcare provider may recommend that you slowly chew (160-325) milligrams of aspirin. Aspirin reduces the risk of developing blood clots and helps to prevent future heart problems. Be sure to check your medical history and avoid any allergies.
Lay Down and Stay Calm
While you wait for the medical assistance team to arrive, be calm and relaxed. Relax, take a break, and then loosen your clothes. You should not eat, drink or take any other medications if you have had a heart attack. The same rules apply if you have a cardiac arrest.
Start CPR For Heart Attack If Necessary
If the person becomes unresponsive or unconscious, dial 911. Start CPR for a heart attack if the pulse isn’t found. It would help if you administered CPR to a person suffering from cardiac arrest. CPR improves blood circulation. If there are no CPR-certified persons, these steps will help:
- Place the heel on the person’s sternum with the lower hand. Then place one hand on top. Start the chest compression at about 100-120 rpm.
- Your hands should not be below your body.
- Push the chest down about 2 inches.
- Press twice per second or more
CPR can be difficult and exhausting. Ask for help from another person if you need it. Keep going until the paramedic/emergency team arrives with an AED.
How do I use an AED?
AEDs can be found in almost all public places and are accessible to everyone. An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a lifesaving device that You can use to treat sudden cardiac arrest. Here are the steps you need to use an AED.
- To get medical assistance, dial 911 or the nearest emergency number.
- Verify that the victim is responsive. If the victim isn’t responsive, gently shake them off and ask if they can hear. If the victim does not respond, they may need CPR (cardiopulmonary reperfusion).
- You need to provide CPR immediately if the victim is not breathing. If you’re not certified in CPR, you can instruct someone else to perform CPR while your AED is prepared.
- Locate the AED in its container and take it out. Follow the directions on turning the AED on and preparing it for use.
- Following the AED’s instructions, apply the adhesive pads to the victim’s naked chest. Place the pads near the victim’s armpits, on the chest’s upper left and right sides.
- AED will evaluate the victim’s heart rhythm when you place the pads. It will provide verbal instructions as to what you should do next.
- AED warns when you require shock; press and hold the “shock” button. AED will deliver a rhythm to the victim’s heart. This may help to restore normal heart rhythm.
- After the shock is administered, the AED will instruct the user to resume CPR. For two minutes, continue CPR until the AED is ready to analyze the heart rhythm.
- Keep checking the victim’s heartbeat and giving a shock if needed until medical assistance arrives.
An AED can’t replace professional medical attention. Call 911 immediately or your local emergency number to get medical help.
Prevention Of Heart Attack
Heart attacks can happen anywhere and anytime, but it is possible to prevent them by making lifestyle changes and following specific steps.
- The chances of suffering a cardiac attack are twice as high if you smoke. Avoid smoking and quit.
- Keep your blood sugar levels and cholesterols in check.
- Include exercise in your daily schedule
- A healthy weight is important
- Healthy food and no alcohol