Heart Attack
What is a heart attack?
- When the arteries in the body that carry blood away from the heart become blocked with
cholesterol so that oxygenated blood cannot be carried through the body.
- Very bad pain in the chest, arms and/or jaw that does not go away with rest.
Causes:
The build up of plaque and cholesterol in the arteries
Stress – emotion and physical
Obesity or being overweight
Poor, or fat and salt heavy, diets
Lack of exercise
Smoking
Pre-existing or hereditary factors
Age – being older put one at a higher risk of a heart attack
Gender – men are at a greater disposition to heart attacks
Signs and Symptoms:
Severe pain in chest, jaw, arms, and/or abdomen
Breathlessness or gasping for air
Sweating
Blueish-grey and clammy skin
Rapid pulse weakens – may change constantly between fast and slow
May have a history of angina
Dizziness or feeling faint
Confusion, disoriented or scared
May collapse or faint without warning
Signs and symptoms are continuous ad do not go away with rest – even if you are unsure
whether it’s angina or a heart attack, better safe than sorry and assume that it is a heart attack
First Aiding:
Aims – seek urgent help; rest the heart; help the casualty to take medication.
1) Assess DRHABC – call for help immediately.
2) If the casualty is gasping for air or becomes unconscious and is not breathing do CPR
immediately.
3) Hele the casualty to be as comfortable as possible – a half lying down position with knees bent,
making sure that the head is well supported.
4) If the casualty is conscious, and has medication, help them to take it.
5) If they are unconscious, but breathing normally, put the casualty into recovery position.
6) Monitor the casualty closely, as the heart may stop at any moment, so you must be prepared to
resuscitate at any moment.
Long-term Treatment:
Aspirin
Blood thinner or anti-coagulants
Coronary bypass surgery
Arterial stint
Beta blockers
Heart Health:
In order to prevent heart attacks and heart disease to begin with, it is advised to:
Exercise daily – roughly 30-60 minutes daily
Not, or quitting, smoking
Eating a balanced diet, limiting high cholesterol and fatty and salty foods, and including lots of
antioxidants.
