Useful Health Care Tips 

-  edited by Marion Jones - British Red Cross and Secretary to Men of Kent - Lynsted Branch

Heart Attack Identification and First Aid

Appropriately, following our recent donation to the British Heart Foundation Swale Committee, we include some advice on the symptoms and immediate action for a suspected heart attack.

A heart attack victim experiences a severe tightening across the chest followed by intense central chest pain - visually described by the government adverts showing a man's chest squeezed by a wide leather belt.  This can be accompanied by pains in the arms and 'pins and needles' in the fingers.  There is often a sense of doom and death experienced by the victim.

If the casualty is conscious, an attendee should make him/her comfortable in a half-sitting position.  Dial 999 and say you suspect a heart attack.  Provide the contact with all required details calmly and enact their advice.  If the casualty is fully conscious give him/her a 300 mg aspirin to chew slowly or a solution of soluble aspirin which works more quickly.  (Always ensure there is soluble aspirin in the house for such an emergency).

Provide lots of TLC and reassurance that help is coming and try to keep the casualty calm.