The Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Heart Attack – Signs & Symptoms

 Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack can be the most critical step in saving your own life, or the life of a loved one. If an artery leading to the heart becomes blocked, the affected tissues of the heart will begin to die almost immediately. This is called a heart attack. A heart attack does NOT mean that the heart has stopped. Rather, it is a warning; indicating that the heart may stop at any moment. Do not perform CPR on an individual who is still breathing, instead, identify the problem, call 911 immediately, and monitor the victim. The signs and symptoms of a heart attack may include:

1. A crushing pain, pressure or squeezing sensation in the center of the chest lasting 2 minutes or longer. This pain may begin to radiate up toward the neck, back or out toward the left arm.
2. Tightness of the chest. Patients may describe the sensation as if someone were sitting on their chest, causing breathing difficulty. This may intensify with activity. Any chest pain or breathing difficulty should be immediately reported to 911.
3. Other signs may include pale/ashen, cool, and moist skin. This is not the hot sweat you might get from exercise, but more like the cold sweat you get from doing your taxes. The victim may also experience nausea and/or dizziness.
4. Denial is another very common response to this kind of emergency. Do not allow yourself to be dissuaded. Heart attack victims often claim that their pains are due to indigestion, heartburn, asthma, or illness. The longer that you argue with the victim over the validity of their claims, the less time they may have to live. Go to the another room if necessary and call 911 before the heart stops.

 As the heart tissue continues to die, a critical mass may be reached and the heart will stop beating. This is called Cardiac Arrest. If CPR is not initiated immediately, the victim will be brain dead in 4 to 6 minutes. If the EMS is notified early, Cardiac Arrest may be avoided and greatly increase the patient’s chances of survival. Remember, the best chance of surviving a heart attack occurs when signs and symptoms are recognized early. Be ready for such an emergency and do not hesitate to call 911 for assistance.