What is heart attack?
· Occurs when blood supply to vital organs gets blocked
· >50years / menopausal women at greater risk
· Occurs with / without chest pain
· Sudden arrest of breathing / heart function
· May result in cardiopulmonary arrest
· Clot in the arteries blocks blood supply
· Occurs due to: a. Deposits of calcium / cholesterol b. Hereditary factors c. Tobaccos.
Obesity. High blood pressure. Emotional stress. Inflammatory disease of arteries. Trauma / disease of heart
Symptoms
· Chest pain
· Shoulder/arm pain
· Shortness of breath
· Sweating
· Heartburn
· Nausea
· Abdominal pain
First aid
· Try to relax
· Loosen tight clothes
· Take medicines if any
· Pain subsides within 3 min of medicine intake
· If not, see a doctor.
· Give artificial respiration if required
· Give Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) :a. If no pulse is detected. By placing
palm on chest to pump
· 15 pumps are followed by 2 artificial respiration
· Continue till ambulance / doctor arrives
Prevention
· Routine health check-up
· Avoid stress
· Quit smoking / alcohol
· Eat sensibly
· Control blood pressure / diabetes
· Control weight