Firstmed Blog

Which are the symptoms of a heart attack?
The symptoms of a heart attack may be quite gentle that’s why many people take too long to recognize they need help.

The most common symptoms are a feeling of heavy pressure or deficiency, crushing pain or unusual discomfort in the centre of the chest or a feeling like indigestion. Pain or tightness may extend to the shoulders, neck or arms, or it may affect the jaws or throat, making the person feel like they’re choking. Some people don’t get chest discomfort, and only get symptoms in their arms or throat. Others don’t get pains in their arms, but their arms feel heavy or useless.

The symptoms would usually last about more than 15 minutes. They may stop, or diminish and then return. The person may sweat, feel sick, faint or be short of breath.

Many people having a heart attack won’t admit they are in trouble, or they think it’s not serious.

What should you do?
Make sure the person is resting quietly, sitting or lying down. Get them to take half an aspirin immediately (be aware they are not allergic to it). If breathless, get them to sit up. If they feel faint, get them to lie flat. Call an ambulance. If, for some reason, an ambulance can’t get there quickly enough, drive the person to hospital right away.

If you feel these symptoms yourself, or see the first signs of someone else suffering from them, don’t wait. Medical help is most important in the first few hours. Prompt medical attention can help reduce the amount of heart muscle damage and can help improve the person’s chances of survival.

Cardiac arrest
How do you know if someone has had a cardiac arrest?
The person is unconscious. Their heart has stopped beating. Their skin turns pale or blue. You feel no pulse.

What should you do?
Act as fast as possible: get someone to call for skilled help. A person who has had a cardiac arrest won’t survive unless the blood starts pumping and the body gets a supply of oxygen very quickly.

Start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). CPR involves mouth-to-mouth breathing and external heart massage through the chest.

Call an ambulance: tell the emergency services that someone has had a cardiac arrest.