The first step to being prepared for any emergency is being able to recognize when a situation is off. Your body will always give warning signs of cardiac emergency, and if you notice them in yourself, seek help. Not everyone has a dramatic experience—their symptoms may creep up on them. Or, the symptoms might slowly become worse for several days (or even weeks) before a cardiac event takes place.
Do you know the signs of a cardiac emergency, or what to do when someone is in cardiac distress? Here’s how to be prepared.
What Are the Signs of a Cardiac Emergency?
Chest Pain
This is the most common symptom. It may feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest. It typically builds slowly, but it could last for a few minutes, dissipate in intensity, and come back. Most people report severe pain, however, some say it feels more like a bad case of indigestion.
Pain Across the Upper Body
For women, the symptoms of a heart attack can be slightly different. They can experience chest pain, but it might not be the most severe symptom. Their most prominent pain could be located between the shoulder blades, lower jaw, or neck. Others may have discomfort in one or both arms or in the stomach.
Shortness of Breath
Unexplained shortness of breath could mean something serious is wrong with your heart. For example, if you run the track around a football field a few times without stopping, it’s pretty normal to be out of breath. But if all you’ve done is climb up a flight of stairs and you are struggling for air, there could be an issue with your heart.
Cold Sweats or Dizziness
Some people experience flu-like symptoms when they have a cardiac emergency. This could look like sudden sweating with no obvious cause, nausea, dizziness, and unusual tiredness.
Losing Consciousness/Nausea or Vomiting
A study published by the American Journal of Cardiology found that nearly one third of all patients suffering from heart attacks experienced vomiting. Two-thirds of people studied reported nausea. Fainting, or losing consciousness, isn’t as common, however, most people have symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, or a spinning sensation.
What to Do for Someone in Cardiac Distress
Do you know how to spot the signs of cardiac distress in others? The symptoms can sometimes be more subtle and silent. Say you’re sitting next to a co-worker in a meeting and they look unwell. They’re sweating when no one else is, pulling at the collar of their shirt, taking odd breaths or struggling for air, and their skin color is pale or gray.
You watch them become more agitated, clutching their neck, and rolling their head around as if trying to relieve pain. Then they vomit and begin complaining of growing chest pains. What’s happened? Is it nerves, extreme stress, or a heart attack? How should you react if someone is experiencing cardiac arrest?
Step 1: Call for Help!
If you think someone is experiencing a cardiac emergency, call for help right away. The best course of action is to call emergency services (911 or your local emergency number). Time is critical in such situations, and professional medical help will be needed as soon as possible.
Perform CPR if Able
If the person isn’t breathing or is only gasping, begin CPR with compressions:
- Place the heel of one hand on the center of the person’s chest (between the nipples) and place your other hand on top.
- Push down at least two inches in the center of the chest with each compression.
- Allow the chest to come back up to its normal position after each push.
- Push hard and fast, aiming for a rate of about 100-120 compressions per minute.
- After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths and continue.
Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
AEDs are portable heart-monitoring devices that are kept in many offices and public buildings. They can analyze the heart’s rhythm and deliver an electric shock if necessary to restore a normal heart rhythm. If you have access to an AED machine, follow its voice prompts carefully. Continue CPR until the AED is ready to use or emergency medical personnel arrive.
Act Quickly
Remember, the most important action is always to call for help immediately. Securing medical care for yourself or someone else who is having heart trouble is absolutely vital. Acting quickly could save a life.
Stay on Top of Your Heart Health with Regular Checkups
Staying current on your physical exams is an essential part of adulthood, especially when you notice issues with your heart. At Total Point Urgent Care, we offer exams at times that are convenient for you, and we don’t require an appointment or a primary care doctor’s referral. Our locations also offer on-site lab testing, x-rays, and other diagnostic tools so our doctors can figure out what’s going on with your heart.
Getting an annual exam is the best way to detect the signs of heart problems early on and treat them before they become significant health risks. If you live in the Jacksonville, Texas, area and need an exam, schedule an appointment or pay us a visit today!
Image by Pexels from Pixabay on 6.26.2024 | used under the creative commons license