Self-help during sudden heart attack

Heart attack is a shocking health hazard that does not offer time to the person or attendants to handle the critical situation. Especially in a lonely state, a patient is helpless and anxious about health conditions where every second counts. All mental thoughts are numbed during sudden heart attack therefore prior advice and health training of critical diseases are game changer in revival of health and patient’s survival.

Though there are vast information in digital media to comprehend heart diseases and manage the condition in an urgent eruption of disturbed parameters, individuals must learn self-help techniques to survive and call for medical support. People swallowing health information through various media are highly literate and equip themselves to manage challenging situations. They are health conscious and adopt a rich lifestyle to terminate any sudden heart or neuro illness. Even though leading a healthy lifestyle and following organic dietary procedures, they cannot curb environmental hazards that invite several heart syndromes threatening to their survival. In such cases, people must be knowledgeable to arm themselves for stepping up promptly and manage the condition until medical help reaches them.

Key notes for self-help:

Loneliness itself is a horrific experience when people suspect a heart attack especially during midnight or early morning. They fight every second for survival. During severe chest pain, pressure, tightness, shortness of breath, or pain radiating to the arm, neck, or jaw, they must call a local emergency number for help that should be well known to them. Prior preparation will help them to promptly call for medical assistance.  If they get severe heart discomfort during midnight or early morning, call an immediate neighbor or friends or relative instead of messaging. This step will alert people to take instant action to call a doctor or rush to a place. In a heart throbbing case of heart attack of famous actor Nana patekar, India at night and lost life, medical help could not be reached as he messaged his friend instead of calling as per news media sources. Conveying health conditions to close ones in the proper way will increase the chances of prompt medical help and survival.

 It is not recommended to drive and go to the hospital. Never try to move or rush to take medicine when experiencing a heart attack. Meanwhile, waiting for medical help or an ambulance, unlock the main door to allow nearby people to come in for first aid or arrange emergency assistance before losing brain control. In the real scenario, during covid period, elderly couple lived alone and male was admitted to hospital. Female was living alone and quarantined. At 11 PM, her blood pressure was elevated to abnormal range and her voice was choking. Due to mental strength, she promptly opened the front door and placed the chair so that it should remain intact and first called her family physician and then her daughter to take action even though she was in an anxious state. Luckily, her blood pressure gradually reduced and lessened the chances of heart attack. The gist of what is happening is that mental stability and right action may be fruitful to a person suffering heart disease.

In a sudden heart attack, doctors recommend people to chew regular strength “Aspirin” if they do not have an allergy or no history of bleeding disorders. Sometimes people are regularly taking this medicine as it works as a blood thinner and helps to increase blood flow if there is blockage or blood clot. It can slow down heart damage.  In this case, people must gain information from their doctor as prior information so that they can freely take Aspirin.

An important recommendation is to keep your mind active and try to calm down while having with heart attack though it is very difficult. Normally people become anxious and restless. Living alone is itself gaining mental vigor and managing life smartly. It will be helpful to relax, or lie down on the floor in a comfortable zone, loosen any tight clothing. It is not advisable to roam around the room and hurriedly knock people as emergency help is already taken. Any physical exertion will weaken the heart further and it will be problematic for doctor to apply interventional medical treatment such as angioplasty. The best way to seek for rescue and stay cool as it may help to rest heart and decrease the chances for further heart deterioration

If a person has a history of high blood pressure such as angina attacks or consuming prescribed Cardiac Medication, they can take those medicines during a sudden heart attack. Here, it is strictly advised to only consume medicine if prescribed by a doctor for chest pain.  Medicines may lower the blood pressure or lead to dizziness or fainting therefore sit in a comfortable position or lie down. Always keep medicines at an approachable place. It is not a time to experiment with the heart, always call a doctor before consuming heart medicines.

Additionally, an important tip for attendants handling the heart attack of a near one is that they should rush to nearby heart hospital or multispecialty medical Centre without delay to get instant medical treatment to avoid paralysis or other challenging ailments. Heart condition during heart attack deteriorates rapidly and delay may cause permanent damage to health.  

Final thoughts:

Self-first aid during an unexpected heart attack is gaining new life. People must expand their knowledge in the normal state about various diseases and keep updated about their health to manage medical emergencies which never allow ample time to revive. Only prompt action and applying knowledge to manage health hazards can enhance their body condition. Actions like immediately calling an emergency, relaxing, loosening the outfit of the body, consuming recommended heart medicine will allow cardiologists to treat well and come out of hazardous health conditions.  

Important note: Above article is created on the basis of environmental inputs. Topic elaboration and ideas are expressions of the writer. Information provided in the above article is for general awareness. Readers may seek medical advice in critical condition. Any resemblance is just a coincidence. Writer is not responsible for any disagreement.