Why Calling for Help is Important
Time is vital: The sooner you call medical help, the better your chances of survival. Heart muscle can start to d:ie within minutes without oxygen.
Emergency responders are trained: They can offer immediate care and transport you safely to the hospital.
While You Wait for Help
While waiting for help to arrive, it’s important to stay as calm as possible. Here’s what you can do:
Sit or Lie Down: Seek a comfortable position that removes the pressure on your heart. Lean back and elevate your head slightly if possible.
Breathe Slowly: Center on your breathing. Try to take slow, deep breaths to help control anxiety and preserve energy.
Avoid Physical Activity: Don’t try to move around or exert yourself.
Taking Aspirin
If you have access to aspirin and you’re not allergic, consider taking it. Here’s how:
Chew the Aspirin: Chewing it allows for faster absorption into your bloodstream. Aim for 2-3 low-dose (81 mg) aspirin.
Why Aspirin?: It helps thin the blood and can reduce the size of the blood clot that’s blocking blood flow to your heart.
Misconceptions About Coughing
You may have heard that coughing can enhance during a heart att.ack. This is a myth. Coughing does not help to remove a blockage in your arteries. If you’re awake and able to cough, it means your heart is still beating, and you should center on getting help rather than trying to cough your way through it.
What If You Find Someone Cold?
If you meet someone who appears to be having a heart att.ack and is cold:
