HEART ATTACK : FIRST AID

What is Heart attack?
Symptoms
First aid
Prevention

What is heart attack?
Occurs when blood supply to vital organs gets blocked

>50years / menopausal women at greater risk

Occurs with / without chest pain

Sudden arrest of breathing / heart function

May result in cardiopulmonary arrest

Clot in the arteries blocks blood supply

Occurs due to:
a. Deposits of calcium / cholesterol
b. Hereditary factors
c. Tobacco
d. Obesity
e. High blood pressure
f. Emotional stress
g. Inflammatory disease of arteries
h. Trauma / disease of heart


Symptoms

Chest pain

Shoulder/arm pain

Shortness of breath

Sweating

Heartburn

Nausea

Abdominal pain

First aid

Try to relax

Loosen tight clothes

Take medicines if any

Pain subsides within 3 min of medicine intake

If not, see a doctor.

Give artifical respiration if required

Give Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) :
a. If no pulse is detected
b. By placing palm on chest to pump

15 pumps are followed by 2 artificial respiration

Continue till ambulance / doctor arrives

Prevention

Routine health check-up

Avoid stress

Quit smoking / alcohol

Eat sensibly

Control blood pressure / diabetes

Control weight


source:medindia.net