HEART ATTACK: FIRST AID TIPS

By Dr. Willie T. Ong

Risk factors for heart disease include an older male (especially fifties and above),
a smoker, diabetic, overweight, and has medical conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

The typical symptom of coronary heart disease is a chest discomfort (heaviness) in the mid and lower part of the chest, lasting from 5 to 15 minutes. This chest discomfort comes about with exertion, like climbing two flights of stairs, and is relieved by rest. During a heart attack, the chest pain can last up to 30 minutes in duration. The patient may also complain of light-headedness, cold sweats and nausea.

If you suspect someone is having a heart attack, consider doing the following:

1. Call the doctor or hospital for an ambulance. Bring the patient to the nearest Emergency Room immediately.
2. While waiting for help to arrive, give the patient enough oxygen. Use an electric fan or air conditioning.
3. Sit the patient comfortably in a 45 degree angle. Rest the feet on a footstool.
4. Loosen tight clothing. Remove neckties and loosen belts and pants.
5. Keep the patient relaxed. Reassure the patient that help is on the way.
6. To calm the patient, you can instruct him to breathe slowly and deeply.
7. If the patient has maintenance medicines, like for chest pain, then have the patient take it. The generic names include nitroglycerine, isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate. Common brand names are Nitrostat, Isordil and Imdur.
8. The best first-aid medicine for a heart attack is Aspirin 325 mg tablet or 2 tablets of aspirin 80 mg tablet. This can help stabilize the blood clot inside the heart’s arteries.
9. If you know how, you can monitor the blood pressure and heart rate of the patient.
10. Finally, bring the patient to a hospital quickly for further treatment and observation. It’s the safest place for the patient.

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