How To

First Aid for Heart Attack

Warning signs of a heart attack are varied and may present as individual or a combination of the following symptoms. Warning signs usually occur for at least 10 minutes prior to arrest.

Signs and symptoms of Heart Attack:

1. Shortness of breath.
2. Profuse sweating.
3. Dizziness.
4. Nausea and/or vomiting.
5. Pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest- tightness, heaviness, squeezing or fullness and may be described as severe, mild or moderate.
6. Pain may then spread to neck, throat, shoulders, jaw, arms and/ or back.

Steps To Follow:

1. Encourage patient to rest
2. Administer any prescribed medication
3. Call for medical attention
4. Give aspirin
5. Monitor lifeline (DRABC)

1. Encourage patient to rest

At the onset of symptoms, encourage the patient to stop any physical activity and lie down to rest.

2. Prescribed medication

If the patient takes any prescribed medication for angina, assist them in taking it as directed by their doctor.

3. Call for medical attention

Do not attempt to move patient to medical care- they may suffer cardiac arrest. Call for an ambulance instead.

4. Aspirin

If there is no improvement in symptoms after ten minutes, give the patient 300mg or one tablet of aspirin with water, unless the patient is allergic to it. Aspirin thins the blood, and can assist with circulation.

5. Monitor Lifeline

Do not leave the patient unattended. Follow DRABC and be prepared to give CPR if the patient loses consciousness.