Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Attack
Heart Attack Warning Signs—
Q: How would I know if I were having a heart
attack?
Often, it is not easy to tell. But there are
symptoms people may have. These are: an uncomfortable pressure,
squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts
more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back; discomfort in
other areas of the upper body, which may be felt in one or both
arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach; shortness of breath, which
often occurs with or before chest discomfort; and other symptoms
such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
When in doubt, check it out! Call 9-1-1. Don’t wait more than a few
minutes–5 at most. Call right away!
Q: What is angina and how is it different from a heart
attack?
An episode of angina is NOT a heart attack.
However, people with angina report having a hard time telling the
difference between angina symptoms and heart attack symptoms. Angina
is a recurring pain or discomfort in the chest that happens when
some part of the heart does not receive enough blood temporarily. A
person may notice it during exertion (such as in climbing stairs).
It is usually relieved within a few minutes by resting or by taking
prescribed angina medicine. People who have been diagnosed with
angina have a greater risk of a heart attack than do other
people.
Prehospital Delay Time—
Q: I’d rather wait until I’m sure something’s really
wrong. What’s the rush anyway?
Clot-busting drugs and other artery-opening
treatments work best when given within the first hour after a heart
attack starts. The first hour also is the most risky time during a
heart attack–it’s when your heart might stop suddenly. Responding
fast to your symptoms really increases your chance of surviving.
Q: So how quickly should I act?
If you have any heart attack symptoms, call 9-1-1
immediately. Don’t wait for more than a few minutes–5 at most–to
call 9-1-1.
Q: Why should I bother? If I’m going to die, there’s not
much I can do about it anyway, is there?
That’s not true. There is something that can be
done about a heart attack. Doctors have clot-busting drugs and other
artery-opening procedures that can stop or reverse a heart attack,
if given quickly. These drugs can limit the damage to the heart
muscle by removing the blockage and restoring blood flow. Less heart
damage means a better quality of life after a heart attack.
Given that these new therapies are available, it’s
very sad to know that so many people cannot receive these treatments
because they delay too long before seeking care. The greatest
benefits of these therapies are gained when patients come in early
(preferably within the first hour of the start of their
symptoms).
The Role of Emergency Medical Personnel—
Q: Emergency medical personnel cause such a commotion.
Can’t I just have my wife/husband/friend/coworker take me to the
hospital?
Emergency medical personnel—also called EMS, for
emergency medical services—bring medical care to you. For example,
they bring oxygen and medications. And they can actually restart
someone’s heart if it stops after they arrive. Your
wife/husband/friend/coworker can’t do that, or help you at all if
they are driving. In the ambulance, there are enough people to give
you the help you need and get you to the hospital right away.
Steps to Survival—
Q: I’m not sure I can remember all this. What can I do to
make it easier for me?
You can make a plan and discuss it in advance with
your family, your friends, your coworkers and, of course, your
doctor. Then you can rehearse this plan, just like a fire drill.
Keep it simple. Know the warning signs. Keep information–such as
what medications you’re taking–in one place. If you have any
symptoms of a heart attack for a few minutes (no more than 5), call
the EMS by dialing 9-1-1 right away.
Q: I carry nitroglycerin pills all the time for my heart
condition. If I have heart attack symptoms, shouldn’t I try them
first?
Yes, if your doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin
pills, you should follow your doctor’s orders. If you are not sure
about how to take your nitroglycerin when you get chest pain, check
with your doctor.
Q: What about taking an aspirin like we see on
television?
You should not delay calling 9-1-1 to take an
aspirin. Studies have shown that people sometimes delay seeking help
if they take an aspirin (or other medicine). Emergency department
personnel will give people experiencing a heart attack an aspirin as
soon as they arrive. So, the best thing to do is to call 9-1-1
immediately and let the professionals give the aspirin.
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