Heart Attack Symptoms: What to do in an Emergency

A heart attack is a life-imperilling medical condition which needs swift action. One can’t just sit back and relax while waiting for the ambulance to take the heart patient to the hospital. If this happens, the outcome can be fatal. To avoid such happenstances, it is imperative for everyone to have basic knowledge about the heart attack emergency such as identifying the symptoms and warning signs, understanding necessary first-aid techniques etc.

The best heart CARE Hospitals in India besides the prominent surgeons advocates the importance of immediate action in the case of emergencies like a heart attack. Our comprehensive guide will get you acquainted with the crucial aspects of responding to a heart attack emergency. Have a look:

Identify the Symptoms of Heart Attack

The symptoms of heart attack differ from individual to individual. That’s why having knowledge of all the major symptoms pertaining to heart attacks is of great importance. It is also important to note that not all heart attack victims show the symptoms. Some of the common heart attack symptoms include:

• Feeling of pressure in the chest
• Clutching pain in the central part of the chest
• Uneasiness/pain in other parts of the body including shoulders, neck, jaw, back, arms etc.
• Sweaty skin
• Nausea/vomiting
• Palpitations
• Anxiety
• Dyspnea or difficulty breathing
• Heartburn, indigestion
• Light-headedness

The intensity of these symptoms depends on various factors like age, gender, and most importantly, the medical history of the patient. Note that a heart attack can occur anytime, no matter whether you are resting or exercising.

Understand and Act: Saving yourself and others from the menace of heart attack

What to do when you have heart attack symptoms:

Help Yourself

• Call your local medical facility at the earliest.
• Do not disregard any of the symptoms of a heart attack. For instance, if you are feeling intense pain in the central part of your heart, immediately ask your family members to assist you. If you live alone, do not shy away from giving a call to your nearest healthcare facility. In case, the facility is unavailable, call up your neighbour or a friend who lives nearby to abet you. He or she can safely take you to the hospital.
• Do not drive yourself to the hospital as it can profoundly jeopardize your already compromised health. Moreover, when you drive in such a condition, you also put others at risk. It is always better to call an ambulance so that your treatment can begin immediately. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff is specifically trained for such situations.
• Till the time ambulance arrives at your door, you can have an aspirin. In case, you are allergic to aspirin or your doctors have not permitted you to use aspirin, do not consume it. You can also resort to nitroglycerin (only if your doctors have prescribed it to you previously).

Help Others

If someone in your vicinity experiences a heart attack and gets unconscious, it’s best to do CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. In case you are not very sure about this, contact the emergency room and ask for their advice. If you are not capable of performing CPR, go on with chest compressions which may vary from 100-120 per minute. Since now you are acquainted with the basic techniques of helping yourself/others in case of an emergency like a heart attack, you can definitely handle the situation in a much better way and save yourself/ others from the dreadful consequences of a heart attack.

Prevention is Better than Cure

Various heart diseases/conditions are a direct outcome of the lifestyle we follow and the food we eat. Medical science has evolved tremendously, thus, making treatments like open-heart surgery in India successful. However, heart diseases can be easily prevented provided that you make better health choices.