Call the local emergency number (911 in the United States) if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack.
The average person waits 3 hours before seeking help for the symptoms of a heart attack. Many patients with heart attacks die before reaching a hospital. The faster the person arrives at the emergency room, the greater their chance of survival. Timely medical treatment reduces the extent of the damage to the heart.
This article discusses what should be done if you think someone may be having a heart attack.
Causes
A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that carries oxygen to the heart is blocked. The myocardium is deprived of oxygen and begins to die.
symptom
The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from one person to another. Likewise, they can be mild or intense. Women, older adults, and diabetics are more likely to present subtle or unusual symptoms.
Symptoms in adults may include:
Changes in mental state, particularly in older adults.
Chest pain that feels like pressure, compression or fullness. More often, the pain is located in the center of the chest. It can be felt in the jaw, shoulder, arms, back, and stomach. It may last more than a few minutes or be intermittent.
Cold sweat.
Dizziness.
Nausea (more common in women).
The average person waits 3 hours before seeking help for the symptoms of a heart attack. Many patients with heart attacks die before reaching a hospital. The faster the person arrives at the emergency room, the greater their chance of survival. Timely medical treatment reduces the extent of the damage to the heart.
This article discusses what should be done if you think someone may be having a heart attack.
Causes
A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that carries oxygen to the heart is blocked. The myocardium is deprived of oxygen and begins to die.
symptom
The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from one person to another. Likewise, they can be mild or intense. Women, older adults, and diabetics are more likely to present subtle or unusual symptoms.
Symptoms in adults may include:
Changes in mental state, particularly in older adults.
Chest pain that feels like pressure, compression or fullness. More often, the pain is located in the center of the chest. It can be felt in the jaw, shoulder, arms, back, and stomach. It may last more than a few minutes or be intermittent.
Cold sweat.
Dizziness.
Nausea (more common in women).
Numbness, pain or tingling in the arm (usually the left one, but the right arm can be affected individually or in conjunction with the left).
Difficulty breathing.
Weakness or fatigue, particularly in older adults.
Difficulty breathing.
Weakness or fatigue, particularly in older adults.
First aid
If you think someone is having a heart attack:
If you think someone is having a heart attack:
Try to make the person sit down, rest and try to stay calm.
Loosen any tight clothing.
Ask if you take medicines for chest pain, such as nitroglycerin, from a known heart condition and help you take it.
If the pain does not go away quickly with rest or after 3 minutes after taking nitroglycerin, seek urgent medical help.
If the person is unconscious and does not react, call the local emergency number (911 in the United States) and then start CPR.
If an infant or child is unconscious and does not react, administer CPR for 1 minute and then call the emergency number (911).
Loosen any tight clothing.
Ask if you take medicines for chest pain, such as nitroglycerin, from a known heart condition and help you take it.
If the pain does not go away quickly with rest or after 3 minutes after taking nitroglycerin, seek urgent medical help.
If the person is unconscious and does not react, call the local emergency number (911 in the United States) and then start CPR.
If an infant or child is unconscious and does not react, administer CPR for 1 minute and then call the emergency number (911).
It must not
DO NOT leave the person alone, except to ask for help if necessary.
DO NOT allow the person to deny the symptoms and convince you not to request emergency help.
DO NOT wait to see if symptoms disappear.
DO NOT give anything to the person orally, unless prescribed a heart medication (such as nitroglycerin).
DO NOT leave the person alone, except to ask for help if necessary.
DO NOT allow the person to deny the symptoms and convince you not to request emergency help.
DO NOT wait to see if symptoms disappear.
DO NOT give anything to the person orally, unless prescribed a heart medication (such as nitroglycerin).
When to contact a medical professional
*Call the local emergency number (such as 911 in the United States) immediately if the person:
Does not react to the stimuli you give him.
You are not breathing.
You have sudden chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack.
Prevention
Adults should as far as possible take measures to control the risk factors for heart disease.
If you smoke, stop smoking, as smoking more than doubles your chances of heart disease.
Maintain good control of blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, and follow the orders of your health care provider.
Lose weight if you are obese or overweight.
Exercise regularly to improve your health. (Talk to your provider first before starting any new fitness program).
Eat a heart-healthy diet. Limit saturated fats, red meats, and sugars. Increase the intake of chicken, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains. Your provider can help you tailor a specific diet for your needs.
Limit the amount of alcohol you consume. One drink a day is associated with a reduction in the rate of heart attacks, but taking two or more drinks a day can cause heart damage and lead to other health problems.
*Call the local emergency number (such as 911 in the United States) immediately if the person:
Does not react to the stimuli you give him.
You are not breathing.
You have sudden chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack.
Prevention
Adults should as far as possible take measures to control the risk factors for heart disease.
If you smoke, stop smoking, as smoking more than doubles your chances of heart disease.
Maintain good control of blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, and follow the orders of your health care provider.
Lose weight if you are obese or overweight.
Exercise regularly to improve your health. (Talk to your provider first before starting any new fitness program).
Eat a heart-healthy diet. Limit saturated fats, red meats, and sugars. Increase the intake of chicken, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains. Your provider can help you tailor a specific diet for your needs.
Limit the amount of alcohol you consume. One drink a day is associated with a reduction in the rate of heart attacks, but taking two or more drinks a day can cause heart damage and lead to other health problems.