When suspecting someone of having a heart attack, acting quickly is of vital importance. Here is what you can do while waiting for emergency medical services:
1. Seek Assistance
In an emergency, call emergency services immediately - in the United States this should be 911; then notify them that someone might be having a heart attack and provide details such as their location and any clues as to who may be suffering one.
2. Stay Calm:
To ease any distress experienced during a heart attack, try remaining calm. Your relaxed approach may help them remain more at ease and can provide them with some much-needed reassurance.
3. Have Them Sit Down
Assist the individual in finding an optimal position and help them sit in order to reduce stress on their heart and improve circulation. Doing this may reduce strain on their organs as well as improve overall blood flow.
4. Loosen Clothing
To improve breathing and circulation, loosen any restrictive clothing such as ties, collars and belts by loosening them slightly. This will aid breathing as well as circulation.
5. Chew Aspirin:
If the individual is conscious and not allergic to aspirin, offer them one regular, uncoated aspirin (325 mg). Aspirin can help to prevent blood clotting while improving heart circulation; you can help them swallow it with water as a small sip from their cup can also suffice if necessary.
6. Monitor and Stay with Them:
Be present and monitor their condition closely. If they become unconscious and stopped breathing normally, CPR might need to be performed if trained in its administration.
7. Reduce Physical Exertion:
Encourage them to avoid engaging in any unnecessary physical exertion or motion that might put undue strain on their heart and reduce straining on other parts of their body, including their heart itself. This may help ease any unnecessary heart strain.
8. Don't Leave Them Alone:
Stay with them until emergency medical assistance arrives if their condition worsens or they become unconscious; that way you can provide immediate aid if required.
Note that you are not medical professional; while taking these steps in an emergency can be helpful, professional medical assistance should always be sought as quickly as possible. If uncertain whether a heart attack has begun or not, always err on the side of caution and seek professional assistance as quickly as possible; time plays a vital part in treating one and quicker treatment may make a huge difference to their outcome.
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