Could you recognise a Heart Attack?

February is heart month, so this is a good opportunity to raise awareness about heart attack. Did you know that cardiac arrest and a heart attack are actually different? However, the two terms are often confused and used interchangeably. In cardiac arrest, the person is unconscious, unresponsive and not breathing (or not breathing normally). In a heart attack, the person is normally conscious, responsive and breathing. A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack, also referred to as myocardial infarction or MI, occurs when there is a reduction of blood flow through the vessels which supply the heart muscle. These vessels are known as the coronary arteries, and they transport blood, oxygen and other nutrients all across the heart. Reduction of blood flow most commonly occurs as a result of narrowing and hardening within the arteries. The narrowing is caused by a build up of plaque on the artery wall, which then ruptures and forms a clot.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person, and between men and women. Signs and symptoms can include:

• Pain across the chest which feels like crushing, pressure, fullness, squeezing or numbness. The pain or discomfort may come on suddenly, but it may also come and go. Sometimes the pain can feel like indigestion. The pain can spread to the jaw, down the arms, shoulders, back and abdomen.

• Breathing can become difficult – a sensation of shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing

• The person may complain of dizziness, feeling lightheaded and feel anxious

• The person may feel nauseous, complain of indigestion like pain or vomit

• The person may be sweating, and/or feel cool and clammy

• The person’s normal skin colour may change

• The person may feel extremely fatigued or weak

What is the First Aid Treatment?

A heart attack is a life threatening medical emergency – call 999 immediately

Whilst waiting for the ambulance, it may be beneficial to sit the person in the ‘W’ position – with their back against a wall, their knees bent and the feet flat on the floor.

Aspirin at a dose of 300mg can be chewed (as long as there are no allergies to aspirin. Note aspirin must not be given to anyone under the age of 16).

If the person becomes unconscious, unresponsive and is not breathing / not breathing normally then start CPR. Stay with them and keep

observing them until help arrives.

Marie @ Anglia CPR – CPR and First Aid training for professionals, for workplaces, for communities