Cardiologist explains step by step first aid for heart attacks: Recognize and respond fast

Heart attacks often start with subtle signs like jaw pain or fatigue. Learn early symptoms, the Golden Hour response, and expert life-saving tips. (Image: Pexels)

Heart attacks don’t always sweep in with crushing chest pain and a drenching sweat. They often start out subtly – pressure or, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness or feeling lightheaded (including breaking out in a cold sweat), discomfort in an arm or the jaw, unusual or unexplained fatigue — and having the sense that something isn’t quite right. Symptoms may differ by age and sex, and some individuals (especially women and younger adults) may have atypical symptoms.

Cardiovascular disease is increasingly affecting Indians at younger ages, and it is one of the leading causes of premature mortality there, so families need to be ready. Early recognition and a calm, decisive response in the first few minutes of symptoms can make all the difference. Simple preventative measures include memorizing emergency numbers, carrying a list of current medications and encouraging at-risk family members to get regular check-ups as well as prompt evaluation for any episodes of chest or breathlessness.

Recognizing the Silent Alarms

A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, usually due to a blood clot or narrowed arteries. Without immediate treatment, heart muscle tissue begins to die, which can lead to severe complications or sudden death. Unlike cardiac arrest, where the heart stops beating altogether, a heart attack often gives warning signs, but those signs are frequently ignored or mistaken for indigestion, stress, or fatigue.

Also Read: Doctors warn: Heart attacks rarely come without signs. Here's what we ignore

Dr Dinesh Raj, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, HCG Hospitals, Rajkot, said, “The cinematic depiction of a heart attack, a person collapsing with dramatic chest pain, can be misleading. In reality, the signs can be much subtle, especially in women and older individuals. Learning to recognize these symptoms is the first and most vital step. The most common symptom is a sensation of pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. However, the signs can also manifest in other parts of the upper body.”

“Be aware of discomfort or pain in the jaw, neck, back, or shoulders. Shortness of breath, sweating, light-headedness, nausea, or a feeling of unexplained fatigue are also critical warning signs that should never be ignored. Oftentimes, individuals ignore heart attack signs like extreme anxiety or indigestion because they think these're normal. Being vigilant and acting on these signs immediately can be the difference between life and death,” Dr Dinesh Raj told Moneycontrol.

The Golden Hour: A Step-by-Step Response

Once you recognize the symptoms, every second counts. The first 60 minutes after a heart attack begins, is termed as the “Golden Hour”, and is the most crucial period for effective treatment. People should therefore be aware of these crucial life-saving actions, which need to be taken right away:

Step 1: Call for immediate medical help. Your single most important action is to call the emergency services number in India, 108, without any delay. Make it clear that you think the patient is having a heart attack and give your precise location.  Avoid trying to take the patient to the hospital yourself since medical personnel can start life-saving treatment while they are en route.

Also Read: Causes of heart attacks: 5 main reasons for heart diseases in young adults, and how to fight back

Step 2: Keep the person calm and comfortable. Ask the person to sit down or lie down in a comfortable position, with their head and shoulders supported. Loosen any tight clothing around their neck or chest. Reassure them and encourage them to take slow, deep breaths. This helps reduce their stress and anxiety, which can lessen the heart's workload.

Step 3: Intake of aspirin (if safe). If the person is conscious, not allergic to aspirin, and is not on blood-thinning medication, give them one adult-sized tablet of aspirin (325 mg) to chew slowly. Aspirin can help break up blood clots that are obstructing blood flow to the heart. Though this is a critical action, but should be skipped if the patient has certain pre-existing health condition or allergy.

Step 4: Stay with them. Keep the patient awake and monitor their breathing until the medical staff gets there.  Never leave them alone during the health crisis. Your constant monitoring will make the patient feel more at ease and equally help paramedics to stay updated with the situation.

Step 5: Be prepared for cardiac arrest. If the patient stops breathing normally or becomes unconscious, administer CPR right away.  Take help from emergency operator to guide you on chest compressions until the medical team arrives, if you are not aware about CPR.  As a result, people need to educate themselves about CPR.

Beyond the Emergency: A Call for Proactive Health

The little steps we follow during emergencies are important, but the real solution lies in proactive health care. People should undergo regular check-ups and screenings, manage blood pressure and cholesterol, eat wisely, and stay active. Knowing heart attack first aid is equally important to live a heart-healthy life. And a heart-healthy life is the ultimate gift for yourself and your family.

FAQs about First Aid for Heart Attacks

1. What should I do if someone is having a heart attack?
- Call emergency services immediately, keep the person calm, and administer aspirin if safe. Stay with them and prepare to perform CPR if needed.

2. Can heart attack symptoms be different for men and women?
- Yes, symptoms can vary by sex, with women often experiencing subtler signs such as nausea, light-headedness, or discomfort in areas other than the chest.

3. Is it safe to give aspirin to someone having a heart attack?
- Aspirin can be given if the person is conscious, not allergic, and not on blood-thinning medication. However, avoid if there are pre-existing health conditions or allergies.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.