Heart Attack: How you can help.

Your spouse and you are enjoying an evening out at your favorite restaurant. Your conversation is interrupted when you notice a man at a nearby table. He appears to be in pain and is having difficulty breathing.

You walk over to see if you can be of help and you notice that he is sweating profusely. He is grabbing at his chest and appears very apprehensive. He states he is having severe chest pain and left arm pain. In addition he says he is having a hard time getting his breath. You immediately call 911. What can you do while waiting for EMS to arrive?

Over 600,000 (1 in every 4 deaths) die each year from heart attacks. Most deaths occur before the victim arrives at the hospital. Studies have shown that heart attack deaths can be prevented if proper action is taken soon after the signs and symptoms begin.

Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

• Pain, pressure, squeezing or fullness in center of chest.
• Pain may radiate to arms, shoulders, neck, jaw and face.
• The pain may be continuous or may come and go.
• The victim may be sweating and color may be pale or gray.
• The victim may complain of nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and weakness.

Emergency Care

• Call 911 for EMS.
• Stay calm and answer all questions the dispatcher may ask.
• Reassure the victim keeping them calm and try to make them comfortable.
• If the victim is lying down and begins to vomit, turn them on their side to protect their airway.
• If the victim loses consciousness, keep airway open and check for breathing and pulse continuously until the EMS arrives.
• Start CPR if necessary.

These interventions may seem small, but I assure you that they can make a big difference in the victims outcome.

To learn CPR call your local Red Cross, American Heart Association or you local EMS.