What do you do in the event of a heart attack?

What to do if you or someone else may be having a heart attack

• Call 911 or your local emergency number.
• Chew and swallow an aspirin while waiting for emergency help.
• Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed.
• Begin CPR if the person is unconscious.

Do you lose consciousness during a heart attack?

Loss of consciousness, which sometimes is the first symptom of a heart attack. Feelings of restlessness, sweatiness, anxiety and a sense of impending doom. Bluishness of the lips, hands or feet. Older people may have symptoms that resemble a stroke and may become disoriented.

How do you rule out a heart attack?

Tests to diagnose a heart attack include:

1. Electrocardiogram (ECG). This first test done to diagnose a heart attack records electrical signals as they travel through your heart.
2. Blood tests. Certain heart proteins slowly leak into your blood after heart damage from a heart attack.

What happens to your pulse during a heart attack?

While it’s true that some areas of cardiac muscle will start to die during a heart attack because of a lack of blood, a person’s pulse may become slower (bradycardic) or faster (tachycardic), depending on the type of heart attack they’re experiencing (a normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute).

Can an EKG detect a heart attack?

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to assess the heart rate and rhythm. This test can often detect heart disease, heart attack, an enlarged heart, or abnormal heart rhythms that may cause heart failure.

What should you do if you think you’re having a heart attack?

What should you do if you think you’re having a heart attack when you’re alone? If you’re alone and experience any of the above heart attack symptoms, call 911 right away. Take aspirin if you have it on hand. Then, unlock your front door and lie down near it, so EMS workers can easily find you.

What does a heart attack feel like?

A heart attack is when the arteries of the heart suddenly close off and the sudden closure causes a sensation of chest pain,” Smith explains. Signs of a heart attack include: – Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest that comes on quickly and won’t go away with rest.

When should I call 9-1-1 If I’m having a heart attack?

Even if you’re not sure you’re having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 if you experience any or all of the symptoms. While these signs don’t always mean you’re having a heart attack, it’s better to be cautious. The chances of surviving a heart attack are higher the sooner you get emergency treatment.

How do you know if you have a silent heart attack?

If you feel like you’ve just run a marathon, but you only walked up the stairs, that might be a sign your heart isn’t able to pump blood to the rest of your body. Shortness of breath can occur with or without chest pain, and it’s a common sign of a silent heart attack.