Heart attack or Sudden cardiac arrest

Signs & Symptoms

• Chest pain, discomfort, pressure or squeezing that lasts longer than 3 to 5 minutes and is not relieved by resting, changing position or taking medication, or that goes away and then comes back
• Discomfort or pain that spreads to one or both arms, the back, the shoulder, the neck, the jaw or the upper part of the stomach
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Trouble breathing, including noisy breathing, shortness of breath and breathing that is faster than normal
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pale or ashen (gray) skin
• Sweating
• A feeling of anxiety or impending doom
• Extreme fatigue
• Unresponsiveness

Individuals may experience heart attack signs and symptoms differently, and that not everyone will have every sign or symptom. Even people who have had a heart attack before may not experience the same signs and symptoms if they have a second heart attack.

Women often have more subtle signs and symptoms.

• Chest pain or discomfort may be milder and/or accompanied by more general signs and symptoms such as
  • shortness of breath
  • nausea or vomiting
  • extreme fatigue
  • dizziness or light-headedness.
• Because these signs and symptoms are so general and nonspecific, women may experience them for hours, days or even weeks leading up to the heart attack, but dismiss them as nothing out of the ordinary.

When dealing with hurry cases, remember the three C’s.

• Check: Make sure the area is safe for you. Then check the victim to identify the problem. Is the victim breathing or moving? Tap the victim’s shoulder and ask, “Are you OK?” Does the victim respond?
• Call: Call 911 or your local emergency number. Call out for help, or send someone for help.
• Care: Care for the victim to the best of your ability while you wait for help to arrive.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

CPR is a way to keep blood circulating until medical help arrives. It requires instruction from a certified instructor. The steps of CPR for adults include a cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths.

1. Place the heels of your hands on the center of the victim’s chest, one on top of the other. Lace your fingers together.
2. Position yourself over the victim with your shoulders over your hands and your arms straight.
3. Give 30 compressions. Push hard and fast. Let the chest rise completely before pushing down again.
4. Perform two rescue breaths.
5. Continue the cycle until one of the following happens:
   1. The victim shows signs of life (breathing).
   2. A trained adult or medical help arrives to take over.
   3. You are too exhausted to continue.
   4. An AED is ready to use.
   5. The scene becomes unsafe.

Defibrillation

An AED is a special device that can shock the heart into beating normally again. AEDs are found in many places where people gather. Find out if there is an automated external defibrillator (AED) near the victim. If there is, you can help by retrieving it. You should complete training to use an AED; this usually happens as part of CPR training.

Demonstration

If you are certified in CPR/AED usage, and there is a manikin available, you may choose to demonstrate CPR for your class.

Activity

CPR Word Find