Heart Attacks – What You Need to Know!
Dial 999 immediately if you suspect that you or someone else
is having a heart attack.
A heart attack is caused by a blood clot in an artery. The blood clot can block the artery causing death of that part of the heart muscle. Every heart attack is different and many symptoms may be present. Some of the possible symptoms include:
- “Vice Like” squashing pain often described as dull or
pressure on the chest. Usually this pain is in the central chest area but it
can radiate out to the arm, neck, jaw and back.
- Pale grey skin – may sweat
- Variable pulse- often irregular
- Shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, vomiting
Treatment of Heart Attack
- Call 999/112 for emergency help if you suspect a heart
attack.
- Sit them down and make them comfortable
- Allow them to take their GTN medication if they have it
- Reassure them
If aspirin is easily available and you know that the
casualty is not allergic to it, allow them to slowly chew an adult-sized tablet
(300mg) while you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Be prepared to resuscitate if they go into sudden cardiac
arrest. To find out more about treating heart attacks and resuscitation why not
book on one of our first aid courses.
