Longmont United Hospital

Recognizing a Heart Emergency

IN HEART HEALTH

What if you or someone nearby were having a heart attack or stroke, would you recognize the signs? More important, would you know what to do? There are ways you can help if you're alert and have a plan of action. New medications and treatments can stop heart emergencies in progress, sparing people from disability and saving lives, but they need to be administered promptly. And that can't happen unless you're informed and ready to take action. The American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (www.nhlbi.nih.gov), say there are some simple things you can do to be a lifesaver.
  1. Keep a list of emergency rescue service numbers by the telephone and in your wallet or purse. The number may be 911 in your area, but you should verify ahead of time by looking in your phone book.
  2. Call emergency rescue quickly. If there are heart attack or stroke symptoms that last more than a few minutes, don't delay! Immediately call 911 or the EMS number so an ambulance (with advanced life support) can be sent for you.
  3. Consider being trained in CPR (mouth-to-mouth breathing and chest compression). It may be a lifesaver in a heart emergency.
Symptoms of Heart Attack, Stroke, and Cardiac Arrest The American Heart Association says these are the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
  • pain or discomfort in the chest or other areas of the upper body, such as back, neck, jaw, stomach, or either arm.
  • shortness of breath that occurs along with chest discomfort, but can occur before chest discomfort.
  • nausea, lightheadedness, or breaking out in a cold sweat.
The American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of a stroke:
  • sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Here are the signs of cardiac arrest. It strikes immediately and without warning.
  • sudden loss of responsiveness; no response to gentle shaking
  • no normal breathing; the victim doesn't take a normal breath when you check for several seconds
  • no signs of circulation; no movement or coughing.

Preparing for a Heart Emergency
According to the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org), here are three simple things you can do to prepare for a heart emergency.
  1. Keep a list of emergency rescue service numbers next to the telephone and in your pocket, wallet, or purse.
  2. Find out which area hospitals are primary stroke centers that have 24-hour emergency stroke care.
  3. Know which hospital or medical facility is nearest your home or office.
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For more information on heart health, visit the Heart and Circulation.