first aid for heart attack

A heart attack happens when part of the heart muscle does not receive the supply of oxygen-rich blood that it needs to function. When the blood supply stops flowing to that part of the heart muscle, that muscle area dies.

 

A heart attack can cause an abnormality in the rhythm or rate of the heartbeat, a condition called an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia can lead to cardiac arrest, in which breathing and heart function stop.

 

The signs and symptoms of a heart attack vary. Chest pain or pressure usually occurs beneath the sternum, which is the bone in the center of the chest. The pain may spread to other parts of the chest, arms, usually the left arm, and left shoulder. There can also be pain in the neck, teeth and jaws.

 

The pain most often occurs on the left side, but sometimes pain can occur in the right arm, right shoulder and right side of the neck. The pain can also spread to the back. On rare occasions, pain has also occurred in the legs.

 

In addition, a person having a heart attack may have one or more of the following symptoms:

 

The causes of a heart attack usually involve either the formation of a blood-clot or a spasm in one of the arteries that supplies blood directly to the heart muscle. These arteries are called coronary arteries. When the blood is blocked to a part of the heart muscle, the oxygen-rich blood that is needed by that part of the heart cannot reach it.

 

As a result, the cells in that area are damaged or die. This usually occurs when the coronary artery has been narrowed due to a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.

 

Controlling risk factors is the most important way to prevent a heart attack.

Diagnosis is most often made in the emergency room. The doctor will usually do a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) to study the electrical patterns of the heart. Blood tests can determine if the person is having or has had a heart attack by looking for chemicals released by the damaged heart muscle.

Treatments for a heart attack involve some first aid measures. Have the person keep calm, sit down, and rest.Do not move the person or get them to exert themselves in any way. Exertion will only increase the heart rate, which will increase the amount of oxygen that the heart needs to work.Determine if the person is taking any heart medications. If the person has medication, such as nitroglycerin tablets, assist them in taking the medication. If the chest pain does not lessen within 3 minutes of taking the nitroglycerin, give then an aspirin tablet and someone should call for emergency medical assistance.Call for emergency medical helpIf the person is unconscious or unresponsive, begin CPR. In addition, if there is an automated electrical defibrillator (AED) nearby, bring it to the person and prepare to use it. The newer models of AEDs are equipped to provide on-the spot instruction as to next steps, and a safety mechanism prevents the device from giving a shock if the patient's heart rhythm does not warrant it. The emergency services (911) operator can also provide instruction over the telephone.