A heart attack is a condition that occurs when there is not enough oxygen supply reaching the heart. The resulting event following oxygen starvation is cellular death. The heart has a crucial role in transporting blood throughout the body to ensure survival. Therefore, a patient with a heart attack Deerfield Beach should receive emergency care to restore function and prevent death.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
Patients should not expect to experience the same symptoms as another patient because they usually vary depending on factors like age and the presence of underlying health conditions. Here are some of the most common symptoms patients exhibit when having a heart attack:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain: A patient experiences sensations of fullness and squeezing.
- Nausea and lightheadedness
- Vomiting
- Weakness and fatigue
First aid guidelines for heart attack
Patients experiencing heart attacks require emergency care to help manage the risk of complications. Here are some first aid guidelines to remember when your loved one gets a heart attack:
- Make the person relax: If the patient experiencing a heart attack is standing, help them find a place to sit and calm down. Moving them around will only make their heart beat faster and thus need more oxygen.
- Loosen any tight clothing: During a heart attack, the heart needs more oxygen, and tight clothing only restricts blood flow and thus makes the condition worse. It would be best to loosen tight clothing for blood flow optimization.
- Find their medications: Ask the patient if they are on any current treatment plan for boosting heart function. Help them find their medicine and give it to them. Most patients usually feel relief after 3 minutes of taking nitroglycerin.
- Contact their primary care provider: If a patient’s symptoms persist, it is time to call their primary care provider to receive emergency assistance. However, it is still wise to seek medical care after symptoms resolve for a comprehensive evaluation to make sure things are okay.
- If the patient is unconscious and responsive, do not attempt resuscitation techniques until you seek emergency care services.
What you should not do when caring for heart attack patients
Please do not leave a patient alone to deal with their condition. However, going to get help is okay if necessary.
Do not let the laying manipulate you into not calling for symptoms. Most patients are anxious about hospitals and may ignore signs to fool their loved ones that they have everything under control.
Do not wait to see if symptoms persist. Seek emergency care services immediately if you notice signs of a heart attack.
Do not offer food or drinks unless it is their medication prescribed by a physician.
How can you prevent a heart attack?
A heart attack is a serious event that may jeopardize your well-being. Patients with risk factors predisposing them to the condition should maintain preventative techniques that ensure wellness. The most effective ways of preventing a heart attack are maintaining an active lifestyle and consuming a healthy diet. Contact Life Imaging Fla to work with a cardiologist in developing a heart attack preventative plan that will preserve the health of your heart.
