Essential Steps of First Aid in Case of Heart Attack

by Kristen White Blogger

Most schools offer the first aid classes to teach young children how to help in case of an emergency.

But do you really remember the steps about how to proceed? If not, consider taking first aid CPR classes online to rescue lives.

Heart Attack Symptoms

It may start with a mild chest pain, which is felt anywhere between blade shoulders, through an arm and down to the wrist. In most cases though, the unexpected, stinging pain in the middle of the chest is the first sign of having a heart attack. Many people confuse this penetrating ache with heartburn or stomach ache.

The basic signs of having a heart attack:

Pain moving around your upper body from the chest, through the neck to your arms
Feeling sick, sweaty, restless in distress and discomfort
Looking pale and feeling dizzy
The heartbeat rate is high

Be careful though, most elderly women with diabetes do not show any sign of chest pain. It could be a misleading factor to not pay attention to the rest of the symptoms. This is why it is important to take CPR and first aid online class to be aware of such issues.

If showing one or more of the above-described signs, call emergency without any delay.

Before Emergency Arrives

If you are there with the patient, you should exercise the following:

Closing all the pets in another room
Opening the front door
Writing down all the medication a patient is prescribed and ensure they take them regularly
Staying calm and be there right next to the patient

Sudden Heart Arrest Symptoms

If the heart stops suddenly to beat, because the electrical rhythm moving and controlling the heart is disorganized, it is called SCA, or Sudden Hear Arrest. There is an extreme danger of the person affected to fall into unconsciousness and SCA is proven to be the number one cause of unexpected, premature death.

The patient seems to be:

Not breathing
Not moving
Not responding in general, to any touch or speech

Heart Attack Vs Sudden Heart Arrest

A heart attack, with its stinging chest pain, keeps the patient alert and conscious. The blood supply to the heart muscle is interrupted, but this vital organ still keeps supplying the body with blood.

The SCA happens, when the heart muscle stops at once and the blood circulation stops too. In the case of SCA, it is of utmost importance to provide the CPR to the patient.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Known as CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation has few basic steps:

Put the other hand on top of your first hand, both pressing the middle of the chest bone of the patient
With the help of your body weight, press the chest bone down 5 cm to 6 cm
Keep pressing till the emergency ambulance arrives

Defibrillator

Most of the public places or commercial premises keep automated external defibrillators on hand to use in case of emergency. Follow the instructions enclosed and between the shocks caused by the AED proceed with the chest compression. The first aid CPR classes online teach you all the necessary steps to ensure the heart pumps the blood again and hence you can save the patient’s life.