First Aid International

Cardiac Emergencies

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when part of the heart muscle does not get enough oxygenated blood. The reason for this is usually a build up of fatty deposits on the artery walls causing the walls to narrow or a piece of fatty tissue can break away from the wall and this clot can restrict the flow of blood to the heart muscle.

Signs and Symptoms

  1. Pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest, which is severe or lasting for 10 minutes. The pain may radiate into the neck, jaw and arms

  2. Pain is often mistaken for indigestion

  3. Breathing difficulty

  4. Noisy breathing

  5. Rapid breathing

  6. A fast, slow or irregular pulse

  7. Signs of shock

Management

  1. Encourage the casualty to rest

  2. Ask questions about past medical history

  3. Call 000

  4. Monitor the pulse and breathing

  5. Be ready to perform CPR in case the casualty has a cardiac arrest

  6. Assist the casualty with any prescribed heart medication they may take for such an attack.

Angina

A casualty may experience chest pain when they become emotionally stressed or because the casualty’s heart activity increases and the heart is unable to supply the oxygen that is required because of the build up of fatty tissue and the narrowing of the vessels.

Treatment

  1. Stop physical activity

  2. Assist with medication that is associated with chest pain

  3. The pain usually lasts less than 10 minutes. Pain continuing after this length of time may indicate a heart attack … CALL 000 IMMEDIATELY.

Risk Factors

  • Smoking

  • Diets high in fats

  • High Blood Pressure

  • Obesity

  • Lack of regular exercise

  • Family History

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