Several factors can increase your risk of a heart attack including high blood pressure, smoking, and high cholesterol levels. Hypertension strains the heart, while smoking damages blood vessels and cholesterol buildup increases the likelihood of artery blockages, collectively contributing to an increased risk. What's more concerning is that heart attack is inevitable and also referred to as a 'silent' disease due to its ability to cause no symptoms. This is why it is important to remain vigilant and to be aware of the steps that need to be taken in the event of a heart attack. Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Subrat Akhoury, Director-Cath Lab and Interventional Cardiologist and Head, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, shares the same.
What A Heart Attack Feels Like
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually due to a blood clot. Symptoms can vary from person to person and includes:
- Pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, squeezing, or a heavy sensation in the center of the chest
- Pain or discomfort that radiates to the arms (usually the left arm), neck, jaw, shoulder blades, back, or even the stomach
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing
- Profuse sweating, often accompanied by cold and clammy skin
- Feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
- Unusual fatigue or a feeling of extreme tiredness, unrelated to physical exertion
Steps To Take When Someone Is Having A Heart Attack
It is important to note that Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.79 crore people died from CVDs in 2019, of which 85% were due to heart attack and stroke.
In India itself, the number of CVD death cases is said to have risen from 22.6 lakh in 1990 to 47.7 lakh in 2020, as per the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Here are some immediate steps to take when someone you or someone around you is experiencing a heart attack.
Feel the pulse
If you notice someone around is gasping for breath, the first thing you need to do is check the pulse. One way to check for the pulse is to place two fingers on the person's wrist or neck and feel for a strong and steady beat. Alternatively, check for a heartbeat by placing your ear over the person’s chest. In case you are not able to find a pulse or if the person is not breathing, it is essential to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) right away.
Initiate CPR right away if you don’t find the pulse
It is important to start CPR immediately when the person is not breathing or is only gasping. CPR makes use of rescue breathing and chest compressions to pump oxygen and blood to the heart and brain.
Dial an ambulance or check for the nearest hospital
If someone around you is experiencing heart attack-like symptoms, it is important to call an ambulance immediately or try to take them to the nearest hospital without wasting a minute.
Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device
If a person experiences a sudden cardiac arrest, an AED may save their life. An AED shocks or defibrillates the heart to get the rhythm back to normal.
Also Read: Changes To Bring Into Your Life After Surviving A Heart Attack
Continue with CPR
After using an AED, if the person's heart doesn't begin to beat again, keep performing CPR until emergency help arrives. When CPR is started right away and continues until medical assistance arrives, a person has a greater chance of surviving. Therefore, keep trying to revive the person until aid arrives.
Bottomline
In the event of a heart attack, taking immediate action by calling emergency services is crucial. Apart from that, conducting basic CPR while waiting for help is of utmost importance. In addition, keep calm and avoid physical exertion.
