Heart attacks are scary. There’s no doubt about that. It can happen anywhere, anytime, to anyone, including you. If you happen to be in the company of others during a heart attack, the first thing you’d probably do is call for help. But what if you’re alone? What would you do?
Recognise the Symptoms
The symptoms associated with heart attacks are:
- Severe chest pain (pressure/squeezing/heaviness) in the center or left parts, which usually last for at least 20 minutes.
- Pain radiating from upper left arm, neck or jaw.
- Discomfort in one or both arms, shoulders, back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Profuse sweating.
- Rapid/irregular heartbeats.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea or dizziness.
- Feeling lightheaded.
- Extreme fatigue.
- Anxiety (feeling sudden fear for something bad about to happen).
Act Fast
If you experience a number or all of these, call for help immediately! If you feel like something is wrong or is about to, trust your instincts but don’t panic. Make the call and wait for help to arrive. Don’t drive yourself to the hospital: you are only putting yourself and everyone on the road at risk. Don’t ask someone to take you, opt for an ambulance. In an ambulance the treatment can start immediately and speed you over to the nearest medical center equipped to deal with heart attacks. If no one is around while you’re having a heart attack, stop whatever you’re doing, find somewhere safe, rest and make the call. For example, if you’re driving, pull over to the side, call and wait for help to arrive.
While Waiting
Chew and swallow an aspirin with water as soon as you make the call. Most cases of heart attacks are caused by blood clots forming in one of the vessels connecting to the heart. This blockage cuts off the oxygen supply to the heart which damages the muscle and could eventually lead to death. Aspirin is a blood thinner which can help prevent the blood from clotting even further, giving the body a chance to break down the clot and prevent further heart damage. Try to keep a full supply wherever you go. If you happen to be allergic to aspirin, ask your doctor for alternatives.
Source: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-attack-symptoms-emergency#2
At The ER
As soon as you arrive in the emergency room make sure you get attended to within 10 minutes upon arrival by a doctor. You can’t worry about bothering people. Be pushy if you must! Your heart is on the line. Get an EKG and blood tests to check your conditions and make sure you see a cardiologist.
Having a heart attack isn’t something we think about or would even like to. It’s one of those things in the back of our minds where we imagine it, get shaken and do something to distract ourselves from it. This defense mechanism needs to stop. People’s lives are at stake. Your life is at stake. Don’t become another cardiac cautionary story. Monitor your heart and your health by having regular monthly check-ups.