Heart Attack
Signals of a Heart Attack
Care for a Heart Attack
Recognize the signals of a heart attack, which are shown below:
Make sure you and the scene are safe by doing the following:
Adult
There are several ways to reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke. Following this advice could save your life (or the life of someone you love):
- Persistent chest pain or discomfort: Victim may have persistent pressure, squeezing, or crushing type pain in the chest that is not relieved by resting, changing positions, or medication.
- Pain may spread to jaw, neck, or arms
- Difficulty breathing: Victim may feel short of breath or is breathing faster than normal.
- Abnormal skin appearance: Victim's skin may be pale, ashen (gray), or bluish in color. Victim's skin may also feel cool and moist.
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Care for a Heart Attack
Recognize the signals of a heart attack, which are shown below:
- Remain calm (you'll do great!).
- Have the victim stop activity and rest comfortably (place them in a position of comfort).
- Quickly confirm information about the victim's current condition (awake, breathing, symptoms).
- Call 911 immediately.
- Answer all of the 911 Dispatcher's questions as accurately as possible.
- Closely follow any instructions given by the 911 Dispatcher.
- Do not hang up until the 911 Dispatcher says to.
- Stay with and reassure the victim.
- Assist with medication, if prescribed for the victim.
- Monitor the victim's condition closely.
- Be prepared to give CPR, if necessary.
- Please know, that no matter what the outcome, you did the best you could.
Make sure you and the scene are safe by doing the following:
- Assess: Shout and tap or gently shake. If victim is unresponsive, call 911.
- Position: Place victim on their back, remove pillows from behind the head, open the airway using head-tilt/chin-lift method.
- Check for Breathing: Look, Listen, and Feel for 5 seconds. If victim is not breathing, give 2 slow breaths.
- Check for Signs of Circulation: Look for movement, breathing or improvement in skin color for 5 to 10 seconds. If victim has no signs of circulation, begin chest compressions. Chest compressions are more effective if the victim is on a solid surface like the floor, not on a bed or sofa.
- Recheck for Signs of Circulation: After 1 minute, if there are still no signs of circulation, continue cycles uninterrupted until medical help arrives.
Adult
- Hand Position: 2 hands on lower half of sternum
- Compress: 1-1/2 to 2 inches
- Breathe: Slowly until chest gently rises
- Cycle: 15 compressions and 2 breaths
- Rate: 15 compressions in about 10 seconds
- Hand Position: 1 hand on lower half of sternum
- Compress: 1 to 1-1/2 inches
- Breathe: Slowly until chest gently rises
- Cycle: 5 compressions and 1 breath
- Rate: 5 compressions in about 3 seconds
- Hand Position: 2 fingers on lower half of sternum (1 finger width below nipple line)
- Compress: 1/2 to 1 inch
- Breathe: Slowly until chest gently rises
- Cycle: 5 compressions and 1 breath
- Rate: 5 compressions in about 3 seconds
There are several ways to reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke. Following this advice could save your life (or the life of someone you love):
- Don't smoke cigarettes and avoid Inhaling the smoke of others. Cigarette smoking is the most important single cause of preventable death in the United States.
- Exercise regularly. Participate in continuous, vigorous physical activity for at least 20 to 30 minutes (or more) at least 3 times a week
- Maintain proper weight and eat nutritious food in moderate amounts. Eat a well-balanced diet that's low in cholesterol and saturated fats, and moderate in sodium (salt). Fatty foods contribute to atherosclerosis which is a major contributor to heart attacks. Eating too much sodium can also cause high blood pressure in some people.
- Have your blood pressure checked regularly and have regular medical check-ups. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the heart and other organs.