Knowing what to do if someone is having a heart attack could save their life; here’s what you need to look for and how to react in this situation
If you think someone is having a heart attack, then this is a very scary situation to be in. That’s why it is a good idea that you know what to do instead of waiting until the medical help arrives – by reading this article, you could be saving someone’s life!
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack happens with there is a block of blood supply to the heart muscle, this blockage is normally caused by a blood clot.
The outcome of a heart attack depends on how much of the heart is affected and how quickly the person receives help. The first thing you need to know if you think someone is having a heart attack is to call an ambulance before waiting for their symptoms to subside.
Did you know that someone is 3 times more likely to survive if they receive medical help within one hour of having a heart attack?
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What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
When someone has a heart attack, they will experience some of the below symptoms, not all of them necessarily. Keep an eye out for:
- Suddenly feeling dizzy or faint
- Severe chest pain – this pain is persistent and spreads up to the jaw and down one or both of the arms and does not go away after resting
- A feeling of severe indigestion in the upper abdomen
- Feeling breathless or gasping for air
- Experiencing fear
- Pale, clammy, grey or sweaty skin
- Rapid, irregular and weak pulse
- Collapsing without warning
- Might lose consciousness
What to do if someone is having a heart attack and IS conscious
1. Try to ease the strain on their heart
Try to make sure the person is as comfortable as possible, putting them in a half-sitting position – their head should be supported and their knees bent. Try to loosen their clothing on their chest, neck and waist.
2. Call for help
Get medical help ASAP and ask any bystanders to give the person some space. A helpful tip is to single out a person in the crowd and ask them to call medical emergency services while you assist the person. Asking a specific person is more effective than just making a general request that someone call for help.
3. Give the person some aspirin
If the person is completely awake, give them a full dose (300 mg) aspirin. Make sure they chew it slowly so that it is dissolved and absorbed into the bloodstream effectively. Aspirin helps to thin the blood and break down any blood clots that might be causing the damage to the heart muscle.
4. Keep an eye on the person
Check their breathing, pulse and consciousness until the medical professionals arrive. Do not let them fall unconscious if you can help it – keep them awake by talking to them and asking them questions.
Related: What To Do If a Child is Choking: 4 FAQs
What to do if someone is having a heart attack and is NOT conscious
Begin CPR
Lie them down
Make sure the person is lying on their back and on a firm surface. Kneel beside them and place the heel of your hand on the centre of the chest.
Interlock your fingers
Keeping your arms straight, cover your first hand with the heel of your other hand and interlock the fingers of your hands together, keep your fingers raised so that they don’t touch the patient’s chest or rib cage.
Start the chest compressions
Lean forward with your shoulders directly over the person on the ground and press down on their chest (pushing in about 5cm), then release this pressure, but not your hands and let the chest come back up.
Repeat these compressions, giving 30 in total at a rate of 100 compressions per 60 seconds.
Open the airways
Move the person’s head and tilt it, lifting the chin up to open the airway and letting the mouth fall open a bit.
Begin rescue breaths
Pinching the nostrils closed with one hand and supporting the person’s chin with your other hand, take a normal breath and place your mouth over the patient’s, blow until you see the chest rising.
Watch the chest fall
Remove your mouth from the person’s mouth and watch to see the chest fall, then repeat the above two steps once.
Repeat compression and breaths
Placing your hands on their chest again, repeat a cycle of 30 chest compressions, followed by 2 rescue breaths. Then repeat this cycle.
Stay calm
One of the biggest things you need to do is stay calm and act quickly. This can make a world of difference.
Making sure you have medical cover in place to protect you if you are ever the one having a heart attack also very important – health insurance is a great alternative to medical aid as it’s often more affordable and still has great benefits.
Read next: A step-by-step guide to understanding health insurance plans
It can also help to go for a first aid course to make sure you are clued up on what to do if someone is having a heart attack, as well as a range of other health emergencies.
Your Health Insurance Family,
Oneplan
