The Heart Heart Attack
It is estimated that someone has a Heart Attack in the UK every two minutes. That’s about 275,000 people a year of which 120,000 will be fatal. A heart attack (also known as a Myocardial Infarction) is caused by a blockage (clot) in the coronary arteries. As a result of this blockage, part of the heart muscle is deprived of blood and oxygen. The muscle begins to die and the heart cannot function properly. Ultimately the heart will stop beating and the sufferer will die. Clearly time is an issue here as a heart attack is a life threatening medical emergency.
“Someone has a Heart Attack in the UK every two minutes”
Recognition - Vice like, crushing chest pain which may radiate down the arm(s) or up to the jaw - Rapid breathing - Shortness of breath - Rapid or irregular pulse - Fear and anxiety
- Sense of impending doom - Pale, cold and clammy skin, “Ashen” in colour, blueness around the lips - Collapse without warning
Treatment - Unlike Angina the pain will NOT ease with rest - Sit the casualty down on the floor and bend and support the knees - Call 999/112 and ask for ambulance, mention you suspect a heart attack - Assist the casualty to take 300mg of aspirin (ensure they are not allergic first) advise them to chew it slowly - Allow the casualty to take their own angina medication, assist them to do so if necessary - Ensure the casualty rests and remains calm - Be prepared to resuscitate
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