Heart attack

Heart attack A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle itself — the myocardium — is severely reduced or stopped.

Causes of heart attack Atherosclerosis: buildup of plaque (deposits of fat-like substances). A heart attack may be caused by: Thickening of the walls of the arteries feeding the heart muscle (coronary arteries) Accumulation of fatty plaques in the coronary arteries Narrowing of the coronary arteries Spasm of the coronary arteries Development of a blood clot in the coronary arteries

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack Chest pain Shortness of breath Sweating Nausea vomiting

Risk Factors Gender: male and aging. Obesity Smoking High blood pressure Sedentary lifestyle High blood cholesterol Normal: ≥200 mg/dL, and High blood triglycerides Diabetes Stress Family members with heart disease

First Aid Management Call 911 immediately or get to a hospital right away. If victim is unresponsive: Assess pulse If No pulse start CPR If the victim is responsive Calm the victim and put him in a sitting position.

Give him the prescribed nitroglycerine as follows: Put the tablet under the victim’s tongue Or place it between the cheek and gum. Ask him not to swallow it. Ask the victim to chew a tablet of Aspirin (325 mg)

If he is using spray: Ask him to open his mouth and hold the sprayer just in front of his mouth. Press the button on the top. Spray once under the tongue or inside the cheek. Ask him to close his mouth. Wait a few seconds before he swallow.

Do not give any medication if the patient develops signs of shock. After taking one tablet or spraying once, ask him to sit for max. of 3-5 minutes. If the angina goes away, rest for a while and continue his normal routine. If the angina did not pass away : repeat for 3 times (3 minutes in between) Do not give any medication if the patient develops signs of shock. If became unconscious: Call 911 Assess carotid pulse If No pulse start CPR