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What should I do if a "heart attack" occurs suddenly? An action may be more life-saving than a heart-saving pill!

author:Traditional Chinese Medicine Physician (TCM) Physician

Imagine that on a quiet weekend, you are walking in the park with your family, and suddenly, your father complains of severe pain in his chest. He clutched his chest, his face pale, and sweat raining down. This is not only a huge blow to the family, but also a severe test of the first aid knowledge of the people around you. In this case, the right first aid can be the difference between life and death. This is not just a case, but a reality that countless families may face. Understanding the basics of heart attack and the right way to deal with it is not only responsible for yourself, but also for your family.

What should I do if a "heart attack" occurs suddenly? An action may be more life-saving than a heart-saving pill!

The basics of myocardial infarction

Heart Attack Decoded: Recognize this potential killer

Myocardial infarction, commonly known as "myocardial infarction," is a serious health condition in which a part of the heart begins to die due to a sudden interruption of the blood supply. This is usually caused by one or more of the coronary arteries (blood vessels that supply blood to the heart) being blocked by a blood clot. Myocardial infarction is not only life-threatening, but can also lead to serious impairment of heart function in the long term, affecting the patient's quality of life.

Recognize the signs of a myocardial infarction

It is important to know the warning signs of a heart attack to be able to save your life in a critical moment. Typical symptoms include:

Severe chest pain: Patients often describe it as "something pressing on the chest", which can last for several minutes and is difficult to relieve with rest and medication.

What should I do if a "heart attack" occurs suddenly? An action may be more life-saving than a heart-saving pill!

Radiating pain: Pain may radiate from the chest to the shoulders, back, neck, jaw or upper arms.

Other symptoms: including cold sweats, nausea, extreme fatigue or difficulty breathing.

Understanding these symptoms and responding in a timely manner can help at a critical moment while waiting for help.

Risk factors for myocardial infarction

The best strategy to avoid a heart attack is to manage its risk factors. These include:

Lifestyle factors: smoking, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and excess weight.

Health conditions: hypertension, glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, and family history.

Understanding and controlling these factors is a key step in preventing myocardial infarction, especially for middle-aged and older adults.

First aid for myocardial infarction: what to do in the first place to save a life?

Myocardial infarction, also known as myocardial infarction, is a serious heart disease that occurs due to sudden blockage of the coronary arteries, resulting in myocardial ischemia and hypoxia. Every second counts, and here are some of the first aids you must know in the event of a heart attack.

What should I do if a "heart attack" occurs suddenly? An action may be more life-saving than a heart-saving pill!

Emergency action: a necessary response in the event of a myocardial infarction

When a heart attack occurs, the first step is to call the emergency number immediately, usually 120 or 999 (depending on the country). When reporting a heart attack, make sure to clearly tell the operator the specific symptoms and where they occurred so that the ambulance can reach quickly.

Holding calm, half-sitting figure

While waiting for an ambulance to arrive, the patient should be asked to remain as calm as possible and adopt a semi-sitting position. This posture helps to reduce the burden on the heart and reduces the oxygen consumption of the heart muscle. Make sure the patient's collar and belt are loose to provide plenty of room to breathe.

What should I do if a "heart attack" occurs suddenly? An action may be more life-saving than a heart-saving pill!

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

If the person is unconscious and is not breathing or is breathing abnormally (eg, gasping for breath), start CPR immediately. Standard CPR steps include:

What should I do if a "heart attack" occurs suddenly? An action may be more life-saving than a heart-saving pill!

Make sure the patient lies flat on a hard plane.

Place the palm of the hand in the center on the patient's chest and the other palm on the first hand.

Press your weight straight through your shoulders to your sternum at least 100 times per minute and to a depth of at least 5 cm.

Guide to the use of Saving Heart Pills: When and where should I use Saving Heart Pills?

Nitroglycerin, commonly known as "Xingxin pills", is a drug commonly used to relieve angina. In the case of a heart attack, it can rapidly dilate blood vessels, helping to relieve chest pain.

What should I do if a "heart attack" occurs suddenly? An action may be more life-saving than a heart-saving pill!

Safe use of nitroglycerin

Before using nitroglycerin, confirm the following:

Make sure the patient is not hypotensive (blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg).

The patient has not taken any medication for erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra), in the past 24 hours.

Have the patient sit down while taking the medication, as the medication may cause dizziness or fainting.

If the chest pain is not relieved within 5 minutes, it can be given again, but not more than three times. If symptoms persist, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly.

When it comes to a heart attack, every second should not be wasted. Making an emergency call right away, taking proper posture, performing CPR if necessary, and using nitroglycerin if appropriate are all critical steps that could potentially save a life. The public should master these basic first aid skills to prepare for a possible heart attack.