Heart Attack

A heart attack is most commonly caused by a sudden obstruction of the blood supply to part of the heart muscle. For example, because of a clot in a coronary artery (coronary thrombosis). Worst come to worst, the heart will stop beating.

Drugs such as aspirin, and medications that dissolve the clot, are used to limit the extent of damage to the heart muscle.


Ways to identify

• Persistent, vice-like central chest pain, often spreading to the jaw and down one or both arms.
• Breathlessness, and discomfort occurring high in the abdomen.
• Collapse.
• Sudden faintness and dizziness.
• A rapid, weak or irregular pulse.
• Profuse sweating.
• Extreme gasping for air

Treatment

1. Make the casualty as comfortable as possible to ease the strain on his heart. A half-sitting position, with the casualty's head and shoulders well supported and his knees bent, is often best.

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2. Call for ambulance. State that you suspect a heart attack. If the casualty asks you to do so, call his own doctor as well.

3. If the casualty is fully conscious, give him a full-dose (300mg) aspirin tablet and advise him to chew it slowly.

4. If the casualty has medicine for angina, such as tablets or a pump-action or aerosol spray, help him to take it. Encourage the casualty to rest.

5. Constantly monitor and record vital signs - level of response, pulse, and breathing - until help arrives.

6. If the casualty becomes unconscious, commence DR.ABC.