What is 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 of Heart Attack Chest pain Shoulder/arm pain Shortness of breath Sweating Heartburn Nausea Abdominal pain First aid Try to relax Loosen tight clothes Take medicine, if any have been prescribed 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 Heart Attack Prevention Routine health check-up Avoid stress Quit smoking / alcohol Eat sensibly Control blood pressure / diabetes Control weight
