Someone is having a heart attack, what now?

To know when someone is having a heart attack, you first need to know what it is.

A heart attack is the death of a segment of a heart muscle, caused by a loss of blood supply. It occurs when muscle tissue dies because its blood supply is reduced or stopped. Blood supply is usually lost because a coronary artery, one that supplies blood to the heart muscle, is blocked by a blood clot. A person’s heart can stop if the electrical systems of the heart are affected.

How do you know that you are having a heart attack?

• Sudden and severe chest pain

• Pain radiating down one arm or into the jaw

• Pale appearance

• Uncomfortable pressure in the centre of your chest

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms

• Shortness of breath

• Breaking out in cold sweat

• Nausea

How to assist someone who has a heart attack?

• Call an ambulance or 082 9111 immediately

• Help the patient to a comfortable position, usually sitting

• Be calm and re-assuring

• Give the patient aspirin if possible

• Perform Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if needed

How to perform CPR; watch here: Push hard, push fast

A heart attack always causes some permanent damage to your heart muscle, but the sooner treatment is given, the more muscle it is possible to save.

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