HEART ATTACK

The greatest cause of death in Australia is from heart attack due to Coronary Heart Disease. Heart disease claims the life of one Australian every 10 minutes. The heart is a muscle that does not rest and has a high demand for oxygen. This oxygen is supplied via the Coronary Arteries. If a Coronary Artery becomes blocked, the patient suffers a heart attack.

The blockage is usually caused by a gradual build up of fatty substances (particularly

cholesterol) which deposits as a plaque and calcification along the inner lining of blood

vessels which narrow their diameter.

When a person suffers a heart attack, they can suddenly collapse due to rhythm disturbances or cardiac arrest i.e. slow, rapid, irregular or Ventricular Fibrillation.

Therefore ALWAYS seek urgent medical assistance for this condition (even when in

doubt) - RING YOUR AMBULANCE SERVICE, or if not immediately available, transport

patient by car to the nearest major hospital with an emergency department.

Recognition of heart attack:

the patient usually complains of a ‘sudden’ onset of tight/heavy pain across the

chest which is usually poorly localised and unrelieved by posture or prescribed

medication.

the pain can radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders or arms (usually the left arm).
they may develop nausea, vomiting and/or shortness of breath and usually look

pale, distressed and have cold sweaty skin.

they may develop dizziness & fatigue.

WARNING: Not all patients of heart attack experience all of the above signs and

symptoms, the MOST important indications are PAIN and SWEATING.

Management

If Conscious:

rest the patient and give reassurance (DO NOT allow the patient to move around unnecessarily as this places extra strain on the heart)
send for urgent medical assistance - preferably the Ambulance Service.
DO NOT leave the patient unattended.
loosen any constricting clothing around the neck, chest and waist.
BE PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE SUDDEN UNCONSCIOUSNESS.

If Unconscious: