Symptoms of a Heart Attack and How to Recognize Them
No one really knows when a heart attack will strike, as you don't even get a warning really. You may be as fit as a fiddle, but you can still have symptoms of a heart attack and unfortunately being fit does not mean you won't have one. There are different types and different degrees of heart attack and then there is angina pectoris. Angina has the symptoms of a heart attack, but is different. Angina Pectoris actually means constriction of the chest.
Heart attacks are caused by an obstruction of flow to the muscle of the heart. Angina is the blockage of the arteries, which does block the flow of blood, but is not actually affecting the muscle of the heart. Coronary thrombosis, is probably the most common of causes for heart attacks, this is a clot getting stuck, in the coronary artery.
The effects and the symptoms of a heart attack are all to do with the muscle or the arteries. People who's heart muscle is weak, will probably have more lasting damage, than some one who has a clot or blocked artery. Both types are life changing, and things like diet, smoking, drinking and exercise will have to be taken into consideration after a heart attack (or before if you want to take preventative methods). People have to stick with it as well if they don't want heart disease symptoms a second time.
Symptoms of a heart attack do not appear on cue and rarely do people expect heart attacks to happen at all, but when they do, they can be recognized by some of following these things -chest pains that have been likened to being hit by a sledge hammer, that holds tight and moves down both or just one arm. People suffering from angina also feel this type of pain, but when they rest it is relieved, not so if you have a heart attack. Not being able to catch your breath and abdominal pain are also symptoms and people can collapse with no warning whatsoever.
The pulse of a heart attack victim, can be rapid, weak or just irregular. They may feel faint and sweat a lot, feel dizzy and faint and gasp for air. Another one of the symptoms of a heart attack that is not commonly known is that people can have a sudden feeling of impending doom, as if they are going to die and of course they might well do (although most people do actually survive heart attacks).
Not every heart disease symptom is a physical one, some people feel an undeniable sense of doom, they are not just being morbid, they are having a heart attack. Try to calm them, by talking to them and giving them some reassurance that help is on the way, try to relax them.
The first thing to do should be the most obvious, but not everybody does it - call an ambulance, as the person having the attack, is going to need it. After that, put them in a comfortable position, this is best as a half seated position, on the floor with something against their back and supporting the shoulders. Place something under the knees, to raise them slightly and bring the hands together on the abdomen. Take the persons vital signs, level of response, check breath and pulse. The vitals should be taken at regular intervals, until the ambulance arrives.
If someone has medication on them, for their condition, let them take it or help them take it if need be. Always talk to the victim and give them reassurance, this is just as important as all the other vital stuff. So now you know how to look after a heart attack victim, until the ambulance arrives, you can maybe even save someones life.