What is it?

A heart attack, medically known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked. This blockage deprives the heart muscle of oxygen, causing damage or death to the affected muscle cells. The blockage is often caused by a clot or is a result of a build-up of plaque in the coronary arteries, which supply the heart with blood.

Recognition features

Signs and symptoms

Someone having a heart attack could:

• experience a crushing pain in the centre of their chest that might radiate towards the jaw and extend to one or both arms.
• feel short of breath or struggle to breathe normally.
• show excessive sweating.
• report pain similar to indigestion.
• suffer a sudden collapse.
• express feelings of dizziness.
• show paleness, potentially with bluish lips.
• have a fast, weak, or irregular pulse.
• have a sense of impending doom

Treatment

• Call 999 or 112 immediately for emergency assistance, informing them of the suspected heart attack.

  Try not to panic your casualty

• Assist the casualty into a comfortable position, preferably on the floor, with knees bent and head and shoulders supported. You can use cushions behind them or under their knees for added support.
• Provide one aspirin tablet (300mg) and instruct the casualty to chew it slowly. Do not administer aspirin if the casualty is under 16 years old or allergic to it.
• If the casualty has angina medication, encourage them to take it.

  Angina Medication – Glycerol TriNitrate (GTN) is a spray that goes under the tongue. Assist the casualty if necessary

• Continuously monitor the casualty’s responsiveness until emergency assistance arrives. If they become unresponsive, prepare to initiate CPR.

Train with us

This subject is covered in detail on the following courses that we offer:

• First Aid at Work
• Paediatric First Aid
• Combined First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid