How to Recognise the Symptoms of a Heart Attack
When it comes to heart attacks, we all understand what can cause them but many of us do not know what emergency help to give to someone or ourselves while waiting for the emergency services to arrive.
Nobody wants to have a heart attack, and its best to know what to do, just in case you have to deal with one. Understanding what to do and how to deal with a heart attack is crucial and there are some simple steps you can take to ensure you are well prepared.
First aid courses are the best way of gaining expert knowledge of dealing with a heart attack and everyone can benefit from attending a course which will not only give you peace of mind, it will provide you with the necessary on hands experience to help save a life. If someone has a heart attack, there may be only a few minutes to do something before it’s too late. Attending a First Aid course will give you the vital understanding in dealing with a heart attack which includes performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and artificial respiration (mouth to mouth resuscitation) effectively. The right emergency first aid can be the difference between life and death.
How do you know if someone is having a heart attack?
A heart attack will cause severe chest pain behind the breast bone, often radiating towards the left arm. There may be the following symptoms:
- lips turning blue
- heavy sweating
- shortness of breath and gasping for air
- dizziness or fainting
- constant vice-like chest pain
If the patient is conscious, immediately sit them down and call an ambulance, even if you are not sure of the symptoms. If available give the patient a 300 mg tablet of aspirin to chew. The primary concern is that the heart will stop beating, be prepared for emergency action if necessary.
If the person is unconscious check to see if they are breathing, do they have a pulse? Check to see if they have a carotid pulse by placing two fingers on either side of the person’s voice box in their throat. Check to see if the patient’s chest is rising and falling.
If the patient has a pulse but is not breathing:
- Check for any blockages in the windpipe, remove any food or other objects. Dentures should be left in place unless broken.
- Call the emergency services immediately informing them that the patient is not breathing
- Provide resuscitation until the ambulance arrives or the patient begins to breathe by immediately placing the palm of your hand on the casualty’s chest just over the lower breast bone and press your hand in a pumping motion once or twice by using your other hand. This may make the heart begin to beat again.
If there is no breathing and no pulse the patient has suffered a cardiac arrest. You should then:
- Inform the emergency services the patient is having a cardiac arrest.
- Stay with the patient and check if there is anyone present who knows CPR.
- Provide artificial respiration immediately.
- Begin CPR immediately.
Posted by admin on Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
