When to Seek Emergency Help

Call emergency services immediately if you or someone else experiences any of the following heart attack symptoms:

• Chest pain that feels like pressure, squeezing, or stabbing
• Pain or discomfort in the shoulders, back, neck, or arms
• Shortness of breath that feels like choking
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Excessive sweating or unexplained nausea

Emergency First Aid for a Heart Attack

Doctors recommend taking the following steps if someone experiences an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack):

Step 1

Stop all activities immediately and sit or lie down in a semi-upright position (around 75 degrees) with knees bent. Remove tight clothing such as jackets, belts, scarves, or ties. Encourage deep, slow breathing to stabilize the heart rhythm.

Step 2

If available, place nitroglycerin under the tongue as prescribed by a doctor. Nitroglycerin helps dilate coronary arteries, improving blood flow and reducing damage to the heart muscle.

Step 3

If there are no allergies or contraindications, take aspirin. Aspirin helps prevent platelets from clumping at atherosclerotic plaques, reducing the risk of large blood clots that could block arteries. Always follow a doctor’s guidance regarding aspirin use.

Step 4

Perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if the patient becomes unconscious, stops breathing, or has no pulse. If you are the one experiencing symptoms, try to signal others for help.

Step 5

Provide emergency responders with crucial information, including symptoms, onset time, medications taken, medical history, risk factors, and any allergies.

Step 6

On the way to the hospital, medical personnel may administer nitroglycerin, blood thinners, anticoagulants, beta-blockers, pain relievers, or sedatives as necessary.

Step 7

Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient will be taken to the emergency or catheterization lab. Doctors will conduct blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess the condition. Additional tests such as chest X-rays, echocardiograms, coronary angiograms, or CT scans may be performed.

Step 8

Depending on the severity of the heart attack, doctors may proceed with one of the following treatments:

• Coronary angioplasty (stent placement)
• Thrombolytic therapy (clot-dissolving medication)
• Coronary artery bypass surgery (to restore blood flow to the heart)

These procedures are designed to quickly open blocked arteries, restore circulation, and minimize heart damage and long-term complications.

Step 9

Following treatment, the patient will be closely monitored in the hospital. To prevent recurrence, doctors typically prescribe long-term medications such as:

• Blood thinners and antiplatelets
• Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs)
• ACE inhibitors
• Beta-blockers
• Diuretics

Upon discharge, patients receive guidance on maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and stress management. Avoiding harmful habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and prolonged stress is essential for preventing future heart issues.