Heart Attacks

First Aid Tips - Heart Attacks

Angina / Heart Attack

• Due to inadequate blood supply to the heart.
• Major killer all over the world
• Speedy treatment and admission to hospital is vital for a positive outcome

Identification / look out for :

• Continuous crushing / constricting pain of the chest (more on left side) may even appear at rest.
• Possible pain  to left arm, left shoulder, jaw and back, but not always.
• Nausea / vomiting.
• Perspiration.
• Feeling of impending doom / death.
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Faintness and dizziness.
• Cold clammy skin.
• Ashen coloured face (pale).
• Pale skin and blue discoloration of skin.
• Initially rapid pulse which weakens
• Confusion.
• Sudden collapse
• Shock.

What to do:

• Make the patient sit down in a comfortable position - Half Sitting using pillows as support.
• If patient has to be shifted / moved do not make the patient exert -  carry the patient with full support.
• Call for Cardiac Ambulance without delay even though they may object.
• Monitor closely, reassure, allow patient to take their own prescribed cardiac medication if they have previous history

• Be prepared to perform CPR should they become unresponsive.

Do not:

• Make the patient exert physically not even a few steps, as it will further deteriorate their condition.
• Allow the person to continue with medical help, it may save their life