Symptoms of a Heart Attack and How to Recognize Them
No one really knows when a heart attack will strike, as you don?t even get a warning really. You may be as fit as a fiddle, but you can still have symptoms of a heart attack and unfortunately being fit does not mean you won?t have one. There are different types and different degrees of heart attack and then there is angina pectoris. Angina has the symptoms of a heart attack, but is different. Angina Pectoris actually means constriction of the chest.
A sudden obstruction of the blood to part of the heart muscle, is what causes a heart attack. The most common of which is called ‘Coronary Thrombosis’, which is when a clot is stuck in the coronary artery. Sometimes this is still not enough to stop the heart fully, but if the heart does stop completely, this will cause a more severe heart attack.
The effects and the symptoms of a heart attack are all to do with the muscle or the arteries. People who’s heart muscle is weak, will probably have more lasting damage, than some one who has a clot or blocked artery. Both types are life changing, and things like diet, smoking, drinking and exercise will have to be taken into consideration after a heart attack (or before if you want to take preventative methods). People have to stick with it as well if they don’t want heart disease symptoms a second time.
Symptoms of a heart attack do not appear on cue and rarely do people expect heart attacks to happen at all, but when they do, they can be recognized by some of following these things -chest pains that have been likened to being hit by a sledge hammer, that holds tight and moves down both or just one arm. People suffering from angina also feel this type of pain, but when they rest it is relieved, not so if you have a heart attack. Not being able to catch your breath and abdominal pain are also symptoms and people can collapse with no warning whatsoever.
If someone’s skin suddenly goes an ashen color and their lips go blue, they will probably need your help anyway, but this can also be the symptoms of a heart attack, generally not on their own, but if they also feel faint and dizzy watch out. The pulse will be weak, rapid or just irregular so always check someone’s pulse, if it’s all three – pray! Profuse sweating and skin that is clammy to the touch along with extreme gasping for air are more symptoms of a heart attack.
When someone does get a feeling of impending doom the only thing to do, is to talk to them in a calm and comforting manner. Tell them what you know about heart attacks and reassure them. Now we’ll look at other things to do, if anyone is having an attack.
The best things to do when someone is having a heart attack, is call an ambulance and if you can get them seated, do it so they have support behind them and something under their knees. Put the hands together on their abdomen and talk to them. If they cannot sit, then make them comfortable, but if they become unconscious, keep the airway clear by putting them in the recovery position.
If someone has medication on them, for their condition, let them take it or help them take it if need be. Always talk to the victim and give them reassurance, this is just as important as all the other vital stuff. So now you know how to look after a heart attack victim, until the ambulance arrives, you can maybe even save someones life.