Spotting and Treating Heart Attacks

Heart attacks occur when the coronary artery which supplies the heart with oxygenated blood becomes blocked. The blockage is potentially life threatening as it starves the heart of oxygen which can lead to irreversible damage and cardiac arrest.

Spotting the early signs of a heart attack can be crucial, which could buy the casualty time and potentially save their life.

Recognition

Central chest pain (mild or severe) - Occurs during a heart attack owing to the starvation of oxygenated blood.

Spreading of Pain - Ask the casualty if the pain is moving across other areas of the body. Commonly this could be the left arm, but also the right side, jaw and back. This alongside chest pain is a strong indicator that someone could be having a heart attack

Shortness of breath - The resulting lack of oxygen could cause breathing problems and a dizzy / light headed feeling

Pale Skin - Witnesses of heart attacks often talk about people having a ‘ghost like’ appearance and can look very unwell. This combined with the other symptoms could be an indicator that someone is becoming increasingly unwell.

Treatment

Phone 999 immediately if you suspect someone is having a heart attack. This includes when there is uncertainty as there is no time to waste and the operator can be of a great assistance. Seek help and send any bystanders to locate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Bear in mind the casualty will be very anxious and scared so offering plenty of reassurance will help them.

Sit the casualty down in a half sitting position against a wall / hard surface and draw the knees up to help with circulation. In more extreme cases allow the casualty to lie in the position they feel most comfortable in.

Monitor the casualty’s breathing at regular intervals preparing for a cardiac arrest at any time. The casualty’s breathing would stop at this time and early CPR alongside defibrillation would give them the best chance of survival before the arrival of the ambulance team.