The leading cause of mortality in the United States has been the same for over a century: Starting in 1921 and continuing through today, heart disease claims more American lives each year than all forms of cancer and chronic lung disease combined. Statistics show that:
Dr. Laura Fernandes and our team at Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute understand that time is of the essence when someone’s having a heart attack. Knowing how to spot — and quickly respond to — heart attack warning signs is a lifesaving skill that everyone should learn.
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, happens when part of the heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood, usually because of reduced or blocked blood flow in an artery.
The primary cause of heart attack is coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common form of heart disease, affecting an estimated 1 in 20 adults in the US.
A heart attack is a medical emergency that requires immediate care. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart muscle — and the greater the risk of life-threatening complications like sudden cardiac arrest.
The average adult waits three hours before seeking help for heart attack symptoms, but waiting to see if symptoms go away is a mistake: About half of heart attack deaths occur within an hour of symptom onset, before the person has reached the hospital.
Heart attack symptoms can be sudden and intense, or they can begin slowly with mild pain and discomfort. Common heart attack warning signs include:
A heart attack usually causes chest pain lasting over 15 minutes. Even so, some people don’t experience chest discomfort, and some — particularly women — have less obvious symptoms, such as cold sweats, feelings of anxiety, stomach upset, or pain in the shoulder, arm, or back.
If you suspect that someone may be having a heart attack, immediate action is critical, even if you’re not sure about the seriousness of their symptoms.
When a heart attack strikes, minutes matter — just as fast action saves lives, inaction or hesitation makes premature death more likely.
Call 911 to seek emergency medical help without delay. That’s the most critical step, as paramedics can start lifesaving treatment en route to the hospital. Stay on the phone with the dispatcher until the ambulance arrives.
Expect the dispatcher to ask questions and offer guidance or instructions. If the person is conscious, the dispatcher may direct you to provide basic assistance, such as:
Help the person sit or lie down in a comfortable resting position, like leaning against a wall. Encourage them to remain still and avoid any physical activity.
Loosen tight clothing around their neck, chest, or waist to facilitate easier breathing.
If the person has prescribed nitroglycerin, the dispatcher may ask you to help them take it as directed. If aspirin is available and the person isn’t allergic, the dispatcher may tell you to have them chew and swallow the pill.
Emergency medical services (EMS) responders begin treatment as soon as they reach the patient, but you may need to act if the patient becomes unresponsive before help arrives.
The dispatcher guides your response to the changing situation. They may ask you to check for a pulse; if you can’t find one, they may instruct you to begin hands-only CPR, or rhythmic chest compressions.
If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, they may ask you to use it by following the machine’s audio prompts.
When you suspect someone is having a heart attack, don’t wait to see if their symptoms go away — always err on the side of caution and seek immediate help, which could save their life. Likewise, don’t let them refuse help if they downplay their symptoms.
Don’t transport them to the hospital yourself, either; the EMS team is equipped to provide immediate treatment and transport them quickly to the most appropriate hospital.
To learn more about heart attack first aid, contact our team at Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute in The Woodlands, Texas, today.
