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A heart attack is a life-threatening medical emergency and can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of age or gender. It’s important for all Singaporeans to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heart attack as well as what steps they should take if one occurs. Knowing how to act during a heart attack—whether it happens at home or work—can make an enormous difference in saving lives.
Additionally, there are certain preventive measures that individuals can take to help reduce their risk of having another heart attack. In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms of heart attacks, what you should do when one happens at home or work, and ways you can prevent future occurrences from happening again.
Symptoms of Heart Attack
Chest Pain
Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest and can spread to other parts of your body, such as your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. The pain may come and go over several minutes or last for longer periods of time.
Related Article: What are the Different Types of Chest Pain?
Shortness of Breath:
Shortness of breath is another symptom that can occur during a heart attack. This feeling usually comes on suddenly and you may find it difficult to take deep breaths or even talk due to the lack of air intake. You may also experience wheezing when trying to breathe deeply.
Nausea and vomiting
These are possible signs that you’re having a heart attack. These symptoms often accompany chest pain but can be present without any chest discomfort at all. If you experience nausea along with other symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, it is important to seek medical attention immediately as this could indicate a serious problem with your heart health. Sweating can also be a feature too.
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, as early recognition can save lives. Now let’s look at what to do in the event of a heart attack occurring at home.
Heart Attack at Home
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person. Common signs include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, sweating, lightheadedness, or dizziness. Other less common symptoms may include jaw pain, back pain, shoulder pain, or arm numbness. If you experience any of these symptoms it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Calling for Emergency Medical Assistance:
When experiencing any sign or symptom that could indicate a heart attack at home it is essential to call for help right away. The sooner emergency medical personnel arrive on the scene the better chance there is for successful treatment and recovery. Do not hesitate in calling for help if you suspect a heart attack may be occurring.
Heart Attack at Work
If you experience any signs or symptoms of a heart attack at work, it is important to take immediate action. Notifying supervisors or co-workers immediately can help ensure that the necessary medical attention is sought quickly and safely.
What to Do During a Heart Attack?
When a heart attack strikes, it is important to remain calm and call for help immediately. Dialing 995 (Singapore) or your local emergency number can get you the medical attention you need quickly. Taking medication as prescribed by your doctor can also be beneficial in some cases. If an ambulance arrives on the scene, follow the instructions of the emergency personnel to ensure that you receive proper care and treatment.
Remain Calm and Call for Help Immediately
It is important to stay calm during a heart attack because panic can cause further complications with your health. Calling for help right away will allow medical professionals to assess your condition quickly and provide necessary treatments such as oxygen or CPR if needed.
Take Medication as Prescribed by Your Doctor
Depending on what medications have been prescribed by your doctor, taking them at the onset of a heart attack may reduce symptoms or even prevent further damage from occurring. Make sure that you are familiar with all medications prescribed before any potential incident occurs so that they are readily available when needed.
When paramedics arrive on the scene, they will likely ask questions about how long ago symptoms began and what type of pain is being experienced among other things in order to determine the best course of action for treating the patient’s condition effectively.
It is essential to listen closely and cooperate fully with their requests until medical assistance has been provided successfully, as following their instructions carefully can make all the difference between life and death in this situation.
It is important to remember that taking action during a heart attack can save your life, so always remain calm and call for help immediately. With the right lifestyle changes, you can also reduce the risk of having another heart attack by monitoring your blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels.
How to Prevent Another Heart Attack?
Exercising regularly and eating healthy foods are essential for preventing another heart attack. Eating a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat, and sodium can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your meals can provide your body with the nutrients it needs to stay strong and healthy. The Mediterranean diet has the most evidence for heart disease protection.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous exercise three days a week. Before starting exercise after a heart attack always gets approval from your cardiologist.
Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent another heart attack. Smoking increases levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the bloodstream which leads to an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease or having a stroke or heart attack.
Related Article: Should I Be Worried If My HDL is Low?
If you need help quitting smoking there are many resources available such as nicotine replacement therapy products like patches or gum as well as counseling services from healthcare professionals who specialize in helping people quit smoking successfully.
Your doctor will ensure your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugars are also well controlled.
FAQs in Relation to Heart attack, Symptoms of Heart attack, Heart attack at Home, Heart attack at Work, What to Do During a Heart attack, How to Prevent another Heart attack
How do you stop a heart attack immediately?
If you or someone else is having a heart attack, it is important to call for help immediately. Dial 995 in Singapore for an ambulance. While waiting for medical assistance, the person should sit down and rest if possible. Loosen any tight clothing and take deep breaths to help relax.
If prescribed by a doctor, chew an aspirin slowly but do not swallow it whole as this can cause choking. Do not try to drive yourself or the person having the heart attack to the hospital; wait for professional medical help instead.
1. Call for medical help immediately
Calling an ambulance or having someone drive you to the nearest hospital is essential in treating a heart attack.
2. Administer CPR if necessary
If the patient has collapsed and stopped breathing, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be lifesaving and should be done until medical help arrives.
3. Receive treatment at the hospital
Once at the hospital, doctors will provide treatments such as medications to dissolve blood clots or angioplasty to open blocked arteries and restore normal blood flow to the heart muscle.
What is the home remedy for heart attack symptoms?
If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or sweating that could be signs of a heart attack, call emergency services immediately. In the meantime, take an aspirin if you have it available and chew it to help thin your blood.
Sit down in a comfortable position and try to relax as much as possible while waiting for medical help. If you are able to do so safely without causing further harm or distress, place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen and take slow deep breaths until help arrives.
Conclusion
Heart attacks can be a frightening experience, but it is important to remember that there are steps you can take to prevent them from happening. Knowing the symptoms of heart attack and what to do during one is essential for anyone who may be at risk.
If you have any questions or concerns about your heart health, please consult with your doctor or cardiologist as soon as possible. Taking preventive measures such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking will help reduce the chances of having another heart attack.
Heart attacks can be a scary and life-threatening experience. If you or someone close to you has suffered from one, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. At the Harley Street Heart and Vascular Centre, we provide comprehensive heart health solutions including cardiology services, obesity management advice, and expert opinions on the best ways to prevent another attack.
Our team of experienced specialists is dedicated to helping our patients live longer healthier lives by providing them with tailored treatments that meet their individual needs. Contact us today for more information about how we can help protect your heart or give us a call at +65 6235 5300 for immediate assistance.
Written by: Dr Michael MacDonald MB ChB, BSc (Hons), MRCP (UK), MD (Research), FESC (Europe). Dr MacDonald was trained in the UK and is a senior Consultant Cardiologist.