CHEST PAIN AND HEART ATTACK

CHEST PAIN AND HEART ATTACK

·         Heart attack is one of the leading causes of death the world over.

·         It is therefore important to know how and what to do between the time a person is suspected to have a heart attack and the time the person reaches a hospital.

·         Pain in the chest region could be due to acidity, muscle pain, bone-cage pain, a tear in a major blood vessel, a sudden block in a vessel in the lungs or spondylitis.

·         If there is pain on pressing the chest, it is more likely to be a muscular or bone pain.

·         If there is pain behind the breast bone and burning in nature, it could be hyperacidity.

·         Cardiac pain is normally very severe, and is accompanied by sweating and vomiting, and can radiate to the left upper limb, upper abdomen or even lower part of the face.

1. Immediate Do’s and Don’ts

·         Do not fall prey to non-scientific modes of treatment.

·         If antacids and painkillers don’t work, call an ambulance and rush the patient to a hospital.

·         If the patient can be moved, shift him from the bed to the floor.

·         Keep him in lying down posture, loosen his clothing and rush him to the nearest hospital.

·         Don’t call the doctor home as there’s little he can do on his own.

·         If short of breath, then recline the patient partially and make him cough intermittently.

·         While waiting for the ambulance, make him chew an Aspirin (300 mg) tablet if he is conscious.

·         Give him one Sorbitrate tablet under the tongue, but if there is profuse sweating (i.e. drop in blood pressure), then don’t give it.

·         Give spoonfuls of glucose powder on or under the tongue frequently, but don’t give sweet drinks.

·         If you can’t feel the pulse in the neck, give a firm thump in the middle of the chest with closed fists, and start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) till help arrives.

·         Ensure that the airways are clear of dentures and foreign objects before starting CPR.

2. Cardiac Massage

·         Place palm on lower part of breast bone.

·         Place heel of the other hand on the first bone.

·         Keep both the hands straight, and press downwards about 3-5 cm and release abruptly.

·         Continue this about 60 times a minute.

3. Mouth-to-mouth breathing

·         Following every 5^th chest compression, the operator should place his mouth on that of the patient after taking a deep and full breath.

·         Keeping the patient’s nostrils pinched, he should breathe in fully into the latter’s mouth.

·         Cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing can be done by two separate persons for better results.

4. When Alone

·         Don’t panic when you have a heart attack when alone.

·         Take an Aspirin (300 mg).

·         Take a deep breath and follow it by a deep cough (as if you are clearing phlegm from the chest).

·         Repeat deep breathing followed by coughing every two seconds till help arrives, or until the heart starts beating normally again.

·         Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart for blood circulation to regain normal rhythm.

5. At the hospital

·         Do not depend on the first-aid to benefit as every moment is precious in case of a heart attack.

·         Reach the nearest ICU or advanced treatment facility for heart.

·         Do not go to outpatient clinic of a doctor or hospital, but reach the emergency section or casualty.

·         Do not prolong consent issues and act fast by giving blanket consent for fast treatment facilities.

·         Let experts act, as it’s do-or-die situation in crisis.

·         Give your consent to clot buster or blood thinner medication or direct angiography and primary angioplasty as it gives ideal results immediately after heart attack in the first 90 minutes.