If you're with someone who you suspect is having a heart attack, you need to take action quickly. What to do first?
Know the signs. Sure, chest pain is the most common symptom, but someone having a heart attack may also have pain in the arms, back, neck, jaws or stomach; shortness of breath; and other symptoms such as nausea or light-headness. S/he may break out in a cold sweat.
Pick up the phone immediately. Even if the person assures you it's not a heart attack, call for emergency medical help within the first five minutes. The faster you move, the faster your love one will receive treatment, and man heart attack treatments work best when given within an hour of the attack.
Get a ride. You're better off taking an ambulance than driving the person to the hospital, because emergency workers can start treatment en route to the hospital, re-start the heart if it stops beating and relay the patient's information to the emergency department before you get there. That's why people having a heart attack who take an ambulance tend to get treated faster.
Ask about medication. Some people with a heart condition may carry nitroglycerin pills, to be taken in case of a heart attack. And some doctors recommend chewing during a heart attack. Don't put off calling for emergency help to offer these pills but ask the person on the phone if you should give your loved one either drug.
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Wednesday, July 7th 2010 at 12:38PM
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