HEART ATTACK        

What happens during a Heart Attack ?

·         The heart muscle depends on small arteries for the blood supply that keeps it going. If these vessels have become so narrow that they cannot provide the extra blood needed when a person exerts himself or feels a strong emotion, the result is a pain in the chest. The condition is known as angina; the pain is typically "squeezing", "pressure on the chest" type, and sometimes spreads to the neck, shoulders and arms

·         During a severe heart attack a clot blocking one of the arteries cuts off the blood from part of the heart muscle. Known as coronary thrombosis, the attack results in intense pain. The patient collapses, is pale, sweats and has a fast, weak, and sometimes irregular pulse

·         In some cases symptoms are mild and similar to those of indigestion. When in doubt, treat as a heart attack

·         Acute heart failure is different from the above conditions. Here, a weakened heart muscle suddenly ceases the normal pumping action. Blood flowing into the heart from the lungs is not fully propelled forward and the lungs become congested. There is no pain but the patient's breathing is very wet and bubbly and he may cough up watery, blood-tinged sputum

What immediate action should be taken ?

• Place the patient in a resting position
• Keep the upper part of the body raised
• Call or send for an ambulance immediately
• Loosen any tight clothing at the neck and waist
• If breathing stops, begin Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and artificial respiration
• Keep patient warm
• Do not panic. Act swiftly.

When a person suffers a heart attack, prompt action is of crucial importance.

• Perform the following in the correct order.
• Place the patient in a resting position at once - in bed, on a sofa
• If the patient appears very breathless let him sit up against a bedrest or chair upside down. You may use your body as a prop
• Call, or send a bystander, for an ambulance immediately. Specify the nature of the problem
• Alleviate the patient's fears by maintaining a calm attitude of sympathy but confidence about recovery
• Reassure the patient that medical help has been sent for and is on its way
• Remain with the patient to comfort him but avoid fussing and prevent others from crowding around him
• If the patient loses consciousness and ceases respiration, begin Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation immediately

After Recovery

• The patient and family must educate themselves about heart attack and related conditions

·         Following treatment and recovery, the patient may be at risk of having further attacks, either soon after or in the years after the initial occurrence.

• He must be closely followed by medical advice

·         Particular care should be taken with diet, and the patient should give up smoking

·         The patient should follow his doctor's instructions about starting on a positive and healthy exercise program