Heart Attack- The Warning Signs

There are several early warning signs that may possibly save someone that is maybe having a heart attack, but only if they are spotted early enough and acted upon.

What is a heart attack?

As defined by nhs.UK A heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. A heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if you suspect a heart attack. A lack of blood to the heart may seriously damage the heart muscle and can be life-threatening.

In the UK, one person is admitted to hospital every five minutes due to a heart attack- according to data from the British Heart Foundation.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading causation factor of heart attacks. Between April 2019 and March 2020, over 86,500 people had a heart attack (and were admitted to hospitals) across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Symptoms will vary from person to person, but there are no symptoms that women experience more or less often than men. It is important that you are aware of the signs of a heart attack, as they can appear months in advance. This means tests can be carried out and preventative action can be taken, says the British Heart Foundation.

Is a heart attack and cardiac arrest the same thing?

The phrases cardiac arrest and heart attack are often confused and used interchangeably, however, these are different. If you’re having a cardiac arrest you will be unconscious, not breathing or not breathing normally. The heart has stopped pumping blood around the body and they will need CPR and medical attention immediately. During a heart attack, the casualty will be conscious and breathing but experiencing chest pain or discomfort.

A heart attack is a medical emergency and can lead to cardiac arrest so it’s important to seek medical attention straight away.

What can cause a heart attack?

Some of the causes of heart attacks include:

· Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of heart attacks.

· CHD is a condition in which the major blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply the heart muscle become clogged by a build-up of deposits of fatty substances, known as plaques.

· Before a heart attack, 1 of the plaques bursts (ruptures), causing a blood clot to develop at the site of the rupture.

· The clot may block the supply of blood to the heart, triggering a heart attack.

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Main signs and symptoms of a heart attack

· Chest pain or discomfort that suddenly occurs and doesn’t go away. It may feel like pressure,

squeezing, or heaviness in your chest. It can feel like indigestion or a burning sensation.

· Pain that may spread to your left or right arm or may spread to your neck, jaw, back, or stomach.

· Feeling sick, sweaty, light-headed or short of breath.

Other less common symptoms include:

· A sudden feeling of anxiety that can feel similar to a panic attack.

· Excessive coughing or wheezing due to a build-up of fluid in the lungs.

Pain levels can also vary from person to person. For some people, the pain or tightness in their chest is severe, while other people just feel uncomfortable, or pain similar to indigestion. Heart attack symptoms can persist over days, or they can come on suddenly and unexpectedly.

Are there any differences in heart attack symptoms for men and women?

It’s a misconception that men and women experience different symptoms when having a heart attack. While symptoms of a heart attack will vary from person to person, there are no symptoms that women experience more or less often than men.

Women are more likely to dismiss the idea that they may be having a heart attack and are likely to delay seeking medical attention. It is important to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack and take the symptoms seriously by acting quickly to prevent damaging the heart muscle.

What should I do if you suspect someone is having a heart attack?

The first thing you must do is dial 999 or 112 immediately for medical assistance. Even if you are not completely sure whether your symptoms are a heart attack, it’s really important that you seek medical attention regardless as quickly as possible.

The next steps would include:

· Sit the casualty down and rest.

· Give the casualty a 300mg aspirin if you have one and ask the casualty to chew it slowly.

· Stay calm and wait for the paramedics.

People often dismiss that they’re having a heart attack and will delay seeking medical attention. If you’re with someone who’s experiencing symptoms of a heart attack but they’re putting off or refusing to call an ambulance, it’s really important that you call one for them.

Recovering from a heart attack

This is the help and rehabilitation from health care professionals. The time it takes to recover from a heart attack will depend on the amount of damage to your heart muscle. Most people can return to work after having a heart attack. How quickly you can go back to work depends on your health, the state of your heart, and the type of work you do in rehabilitation.

The aim of the recovery process is to:

· Reduce your risk of another heart attack through a combination of lifestyle changes (such as eating a healthy diet), and medicines (such as statins), which help to lower blood cholesterol levels.

· Gradually restore your physical fitness so you can resume normal activities (cardiac rehabilitation).

Heart attack warning signs

Dynamo Training Solutions provide comprehensive training on all first aid-related topics. We deliver first-aid training courses throughout London, Kent, and the Southeast. Dynamo Training Solutions Simple Guide to: Heart Attacks is one of a series of Dynamo Training Solutions Simple Guide to first aid series.