HEART ATTACK

What is a heart attack?

Blood carries a constant supply of oxygen to the heart through the arteries that feed the heart muscle. When this supply is blocked or reduced, the heart weakens and can’t function properly. Sometimes there is a warning (chest pain) but often there is none. While a heart attack can be a sudden event that strikes without warning, many start off slowly and gradually get worse. Often early warning signs are put down to something else, like heartburn. 3 out of 10 heart attacks are a complete surprise. A quarter of all heart attacks result in sudden death. 

The golden rule: always get chest pains checked out.

What are the warning signs of a heart attack?

Watch out for the following, but be aware that symptoms do vary from person to person:

• Heavy pressure, tightness, crushing pain or unusual discomfort in the centre of the chest. This may…
• feel like indigestion
• spread to shoulders, arms, neck or jaw
• last for more than 15 minutes. It may stop or get less and then return.
• Sweating, sickness, faintness or shortness of breath may be experienced.
• There may be a rapid, weak pulse.
• Patients may say they have a ‘sense of impending doom’.
• Sharp stabbing pain in the left side of the chest is usually NOT heart pain.

When one or more of these symptoms are experienced, get immediate medical attention – medical help is most important in the first few hours. If the person becomes unconscious, call an ambulance immediately.

What are the symptoms of a heart attack in women?

The symptoms that women experience are markedly different from those experienced by men. For women, the typical heart attack symptoms tend not to be the classic "tightness", discomfort or pain in the chest. Instead, they experience a wide range of sensations, including:

• An uneasy feeling in the chest
• Abdominal pain
• A fluttering heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Dizziness and/or fainting
• Swollen feet

The problem is, however, that these symptoms are easily dismissed as something innocuous as a stomach bug or hunger, as the warning signs of a heart attack are less evident in women. Approximately 35% of heart attacks in women are believed to go unnoticed or unreported. Also, because of increased age, women are more likely to also have other diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.  An indication that something more serious may be wrong is if the symptoms appear to get worse when the heart is put under stress such as when exercising.

What to do:

• Call for help ASAP, saying you suspect a heart attack.
• While help is on its way, get the patient comfortable (semi-sitting, loosen tight clothing). Reduce their anxiety – don’t let them become the centre of attention.
• The patient must avoid physical or emotional exertion, as this puts strain on the heart.
• Doctors advise giving a suspected heart attack patient a single dose of aspirin, preferably chewed or crushed so its absorbed faster. Be sure patient is not allergic to aspirin. Do not give aspirin to an unconscious patient.
• If they become unconscious, place them on their side in the recovery position.
• If the victim stops breathing, or goes into cardiac-respiratory arrest, start CPR.

Emergency Numbers:

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