Heart Attack
Signs of a heart attack
Heart Attack Action Plan
What happens next?
Do you know what to do? Check out our Heart Attack Quiz
Heart attack is the main cause of early death in New Zealand. The New Zealand death rate from heart disease remains among the highest in the world.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main underlying reason for a heart attack. Coronary artery disease is the greatest single cause of death accounting for more than 1 in 5 (22%) of all deaths in 2000.
During a heart attack, the part of the heart starved of blood cannot work properly. This will affect the heart's pumping action, weaken blood pressure and cause abnormal heart rhythms. The heart may stop beating ( cardiac arrest).
Signs of heart attack
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. People often are not sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. The warning signs of a heart attack vary, it is possible to have no pain (especially in women and people who are diabetic) or the only sign may be indigestion type pain.
If you have chest pain which lasts more than a few minutes it MAY be a sign of a heart attack. The pain may:
· initially come and go
· be in one or both arms (more commonly the left)
· go into your neck, back, jaw, stomach and abdomen.
It may feel like:
· squeezing
· pressing
· tightness
. fullness
. pain
You may have one or more of the following symptoms with or without chest pain/discomfort:
· sweating
· feeling faint
· feeling sick
· vomiting
· being short of breath
Learn the signs, but remember:
Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives - maybe your own. Don't wait more than 5 minutes - call
111.
Calling 111 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive - up to an hour sooner than you'd get treatment if you go to hospital by car. Staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped.
Heart Attack Action Plan
Action Plan
This sequence of events is advised by the New Zealand Heart Foundation:
If you think you are having a heart attack:
1. Stop what you are doing and sit down and rest.
If your doctor has prescribed you an angina (nitrate) spray or tablets, then:
- if the pain or symptoms perisist after resting for 1-2 minutes, take 1 or 2 puffs of your nitrate spray or half to 1 tablet.
- if the pain or symptoms are releived by rest, or by your nitrate spray or tablet, you may resume activity gently.
- if the pain or symptoms persists, repeat he dose safely ever 5 minutes.
2. If the pain or symptoms are not relieved after 3 doses or with resting for 15 minutes, call an ambulance
Dial 111 immediately requesting an ambulance and tell them you are having a possible heart attack.
DO NOT drive yourself or get someone else drive you to the hospital.
If you are with someone who is or may be having a heart attack, remember that people often play down their symptoms, and you should never take the chance that they are not having a heart attack.
People who have previously had angina or a heart attack may realize that a heart attack occurring. Someone who has already had a heart attack is more likely to have another one.
While you are waiting...
3. Chew one aspirin tablet unless you have been advised not to take aspirin
4. Rest quietly and wait for the ambulance
What happens next?
Ambulances attending calls to people with chest pain are most likely to have:
· a crew member trained in resuscitation for heart attacks.
· equipment and drugs
· a heart monitor
· intravenous lines so the paramedic can give you drugs quickly
· a defibrillator, which can deliver a measured electric shock to the heart
Once you are at hospital:
· you will be treated in the emergency department
· The doctors need to find out whether or not you've had a heart attack. Tests for this include an ECG and blood tests for cardiac
enzymes (which are released into your blood by damaged heart muscle cells)
· You will be given drugs to help you recover. This may include a
thrombolytic drug which disperses the clot.
- You may undergo an emergency angioplasty (PTCA)
· Once your condition is safe, you will be transferred to a specialised ward called the Coronary Care Unit.
After 1-2 days...
. The heart becomes more stable and the ECG leads will be removed
· You will be told when you can start to gently walk around with someone helping you.
· You will be given any necessary drugs as well as being started on daily aspirin to reduce the chance of more clots developing
· Further tests may be required before you go home.
· If there are no problems you can look forward to going home in a few days.
For further information, see our FREE A Guide to Recovery after a Heart Attack booklet or read about Rehabilitation.
Cardiac rehabilitation is an important part of recovery and can significantly increase
your chances of recovering successfully and avoiding having another heart attack.
Heart Attack Quiz
Do you know what to do if you or someone you are with may be having a heart attack?
Take our simple multiple choice quiz to make sure you know what to do. Answers below.
Question 1.
You are with someone who has severe chest pain and thinks they may be having a heart attack.
Do you:
A. Sit them down and make them a cup of tea and hope the pain eases?
B. Dial 111 and ask for an ambulance?
C. Give them some Panadol and wait for the pain to go away?
Question 2.
You think you may be having a heart attack and have GTN with you.
Do you:
A. Take the GTN once and wait for the pain to go?
B. Hold off on the GTN in case you need it later?
C. Sit down, take the GTN every 5 minutes three times, and if it's not better dial 111 and ask for an ambulance?
Question 3
You are alone and have mild chest pain but don't know if its indigestion or possibly a heart attack
Do you:
A. Sit down quietly and not call anyone as you don't want to worry them?
B. Call someone near by and ask them to come to you straight away while you take some indigestion tablets and wait to see if they work?
C. Go for a walk to see if the pain wears off with some exercise?
Answers:
Question 1. Correct answer is B.
Don't delay, call an ambulance right away.
Question 2. Correct answer is C.
Question 3. Correct answer is B. Always let someone know you are not feeling well and dial 111 for an ambulance if you think it may be a heart attack.
