Heart Attack

• Occurs when blood supply to vital organs gets blocked 

•  >50years / menopausal women at greater risk 

• Occurs with / without chest pain 

• Sudden arrest of breathing / heart function

• May result in cardiopulmonary arrest 

• Clot in the arteries blocks blood supply 

• Occurs due to:
  a. Deposits of calcium / cholesterol
  b. Hereditary factors
  c. Tobacco
  d. Obesity
  e. High blood pressure
  f. Emotional stress
  g. Inflammatory disease of arteries
  h. Trauma / disease of heart

Symptoms 

• Chest pain 

• Shoulder/arm pain 

• Shortness of breath

• Sweating 

• Heartburn 

• Nausea 

• Abdominal pain 

First aid 

• Try to relax 

• Loosen tight clothes 

• Take medicines if any 

• Pain subsides within 3 min of medicine intake 

• If not, see a doctor. 

• Give artifical respiration if required 

• Give Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) :
  a. If no pulse is detected
  b. By placing palm on chest to pump

• 15 pumps are followed by 2 artificial respiration 

• Continue till ambulance / doctor arrives 

Prevention 

• Routine health check-up 

• Avoid stress 

• Quit smoking / alcohol 

• Eat sensibly 

• Control blood pressure / diabetes 

• Control weight