Surviving a Heart Attack: What You Need to Know
Occasionally, we come across news stories about someone who suddenly succumbs to a heart condition. What they are referring to is a "heart attack". A heart attack is an abrupt and potentially life-threatening event that occurs when a blood vessel supplying the heart becomes completely blocked, depriving the heart of oxygen. This can lead to a sudden loss of consciousness or even death within a short span of time.
Three Life-Saving Steps for a Heart Attack
Step 1: Nitroglycerin Under the Tongue
If you have been diagnosed with angina (chest pain), it is important to carry nitroglycerin tablets, commonly known as "under-the-tongue pills", with you at all times. In the event of a heart attack, placing a tablet under the tongue allows for rapid absorption and can help alleviate symptoms.
Step 2: Find a Place to Sit
If your symptoms have not eased after 5 minutes of taking the first tablet, you can take a second one. If you have already taken three tablets within 15 minutes and your symptoms have not improved, find a place to sit or lie down and seek immediate help by calling emergency services for an ambulance.
Step 3: Seek Help from Bystanders Before Losing Consciousness
If you feel like you are about to lose consciousness before calling emergency services, take a few seconds to identify the nearest bystander and quickly say to them, "Help me call for help!" This increases your chances of survival by alerting others to your emergency situation.
Regular Heart Check-ups: Key to Preventing Heart Attacks
Some individuals may experience warning signs before a heart attack, often in the form of chest tightness or pain. This occurs when a plaque in the blood vessels suddenly ruptures, causing a blood clot to form. However, there are also cases where a heart attack strikes without any prior symptoms, making it potentially severe.
Therefore, individuals at high risk, such as those with a family history of heart disease, individuals over 65 years old, and obese men, should undergo regular heart check-ups to prevent the occurrence of heart attacks. Failure to receive adequate oxygen to the heart for more than 10 minutes can result in irreversible damage and loss of life.
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