Having A Heart Attack When Alone? Here's What You Should Do

Researchers pointed out that some of the most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are associated with an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.

A heart attack is a serious medical condition that occurs when part of your heart muscle does not receive enough blood due to the buildup of fats, cholesterol or other substances in the heart arteries. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide with an estimated number of 17.9 million lives lost worldwide. It is most likely for a person to experience a heart attack when they are alone which could be frightening and deadly.

Causes Of A Heart Attack

Researchers pointed out that some of the most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are associated with an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. WHO claims that these behavioural factors may show up in certain individuals as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood lipids and overweight and obesity. Other risk factors that are associated with heart attack include air pollution.

Signs And Symptoms A Heart Attack

Symptoms of a heart attack may vary from person to person but some of the most common warning signs include chest pain, discomfort and ache. Other signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Unusual pain in the torso or upper body.
• Shortness of breath.
• Experiencing cold sweat as your heart is under stress.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• A feeling of indigestion, fullness or choking.
• Irregular and rapid heartbeat.
• Fatigue.
• Dizziness.

How To Act While Having A Heart Attack

1. Call Emergency Number: Before you attempt any other contact number immediately dial emergency medical services when you suspect a heart attack.
2. Invite A Company: If you are experiencing unusual chest pain, discomfort or ache, invite your trustworthy neighbour or relatives to give you company for the time being. experts recommend not to rely on others but rather to an emergency paramedics show up.
3. Chew On aspirin: If you are not allergic to aspirin, healthcare providers recommend chewing and swallowing a single 325 mg or two tablets of baby aspirin 81 mg. Researchers claim that these tips work effectively when taken within 30 minutes of your first symptoms.
4. Avoid Driving: Consider pulling off to the side if you begin to experience heart attack symptoms while driving. If you suffer from cardiac arrest you will pass out.
5. Remain Calm: Ensure to remain calm as getting frightened and rushing yourself around may only worsen your condition. Experts recommend counting (using the standard one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand) as a way to slow down your racing heartbeat.
6. Lie Down: If you are having a heart attack ensure to lie on your back and raise your legs upward. This method will allow your diaphragm to open up and make it easier for you to breathe and supply oxygen to your blood.
7. Breathing Deeply: Ensure to take a deep breath when a heart attacks occurs, this is the best way to maintain a consant supply of oxygen to your blood.
8. Avoid Cough CPR: While this technique has been advocated widely for saving one's life, experts suggest avoiding performing cough CPR on your own as this may work against the rhythm of your heart and make it harder to get oxygen into your blood rather than easier.
9. Avoid Consuming Food And Drinks: If you're having a heart attack, drinking and eating food should be the last thing on your mind as having anything other than aspirin in your system can make it more complicated for healthcare providers to give you adequate treatment.
10. Follow-Up: Suffering from a heart attack increases your chances higher to experiencing another heart attack. Therefore, always consult with your doctor about what to do in the future.

Disclaimer: The content on TheHealthSite.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding your health or a medical condition.