"First Aid for Heart Attacks: Immediate Steps to Save a Life"
NOV , 2024 .3 mins
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Introduction: The heart is an amazing organ. It beats in an even, steady rhythm, about 60 to 100 times each minute as much as 100,000 times each day. One of the primary functions of the human heart is to pump blood which contains oxygen, hormones, glucose, and other components throughout the body, including the heart itself. Sometimes, like any other organ, the heart can get out of rhythm. Just like you look after your hair, skin, eyes, and other body organs, even the heart needs regular care as it is prone to wear and tear. Heart issues are bound to occur if there no proper maintenance of the heart and body. A cardiologist near you will call it an irregular or abnormal heartbeat- technically- arrhythmia. One such issue is an unexpected heart attack.
A heart attack can be life-threatening, creating fear, worry and uncertainty in loved ones about the person's survival, recovery, and the long-term impact on their health. The emotional toll, along with the need for urgent medical decisions, adds to the stress. It is good to be alert and identify potential heart attack symptoms especially if you have middle aged or elderly family living at home. Key symptoms are chest pain or discomfort that may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. Other warning signs include shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, or dizziness. Early detection and quick response can save lives. It is a good practice to keep the contact number of Star Hospitals handy- the best heart hospital in Hyderabad to address emergencies 24x7.
Importance of acting fast during a heart attack
Heart attack is a life-threatening emergency that requires lightning-fast action. Do not ignore even the minor symptoms. Immediate treatment lessens heart damage and saves lives at the best heart hospital in Hyderabad. Not all heart attacks begin with the sudden, crushing chest pain that most of us have heard or watched in movies. In fact, some attacks have no symptoms at all, especially for people with diabetes. Symptoms can occur while you are at rest or active. The severity depends on the age, gender, and medical condition/history. Remember, prevention is always better than a cure!
1. Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, fullness, or a squeezing pain that lasts for more than a few minutes.
2. Pain and discomfort that go beyond your chest to other parts of your upper body, like one or both arms, back, neck, stomach, teeth, and jaw. Sometimes there is no pain in the chest but only in the jaw/arms.
3. Unexplained shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
4. Cold sweats
5. Nausea or vomiting
6. Light headedness
7. Anxiety, indigestion
8. Unexplained fatigue
Women are more likely to have additional symptoms/issues than men, like neck/ shoulder/upper back or abdominal pain.
How to react in case of a heart attack?
Call for Help: Acting quickly can save lives. The longer you wait for treatment, lesser the chances of survival and damage to the heart goes up. The first hour immediately after heart attack symptoms is called the golden hour. Treatment given within the golden hour, like clot-busting and artery-opening medications can stop a heart attack and having a catheterization with a stent put in may open a closed blood vessel. If you are with a person undergoing heart symptoms call a cardiologist near you. A more effective option would be to call Star Hospitals- the best heart hospital in Hyderabad for ambulance and para medical services. They are trained to revive a person if their heart stops.
If you cannot reach out to Emergency Medical Services, drive the person to the hospital. If you are the one with the symptoms, do not drive yourself to the hospital unless you have no other choice.
Meanwhile, before paramedics arrive:
Try to keep the person calm and make them sit or lie down.
If the person is not allergic to aspirin, have them chew and swallow an aspirin or disprin. (In case disprin or aspirin is not handy, an anti-cholesterol medicine can also be given). It works faster when chewed and not swallowed whole. Aspirin can inhibit the growth of the blood clot or obstruction in the artery. Inhibiting the growth of the blood clot is critical to maintain at least some blood flow through the coronary artery can keep heart muscle cells from dying.
Perform CPR if You Are Qualified
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is called the "chain of survival." The chain of survival is a series of actions that, when done in sequence, will give a person having a heart attack the best chance of survival.
Another option is to give artificial breathing and circulation with CPR. By giving a combination of manual chest compressions and artificial, or "mouth-to-mouth," respiration, the rescuer can breathe for the other person and help circulate some of the blood throughout their body. Even without mouth-to-mouth, "hands-only" CPR can be highly effective.
The earlier you give CPR to a person in cardiopulmonary arrest (no breathing, no heartbeat), the better the chance of resuscitation. If you think these steps cannot be done or you do not have any competent person around, reach out to Emergency service or a cardiologist near you.
Conclusion :
There are very many cliches like “better be safe than sorry”, “a stitch in time saves nine”, etc. The best option is to have a healthy lifestyle and routine right from a young age. Proper diet and exercise regimen is the best way to lead a disease-free life. Another key factor would be to register with Star Hospital in Hyderabad. Regular check-ups and early diagnoses at the cardiac department can help prevent emergencies. Star hospital is the best heart hospital in Hyderabad providing the best treatment regimen starting from diagnosis to rehabilitation by the most experienced, cardiology professionals.
