Imagine: you’re home alone, maybe it’s the middle of the night, and everything seems normal. Suddenly, you feel a strange pain in your chest. At first, you think it’s just fatigue. But then the pain intensifies, you start sweating profusely, and the discomfort radiates to your left arm and neck. You’re short of breath, and your heart is pounding. You realize: you could be having a heart attack, and you’re alone. What do you do?
This scenario is terrifying, but knowing what to do can make a huge difference. In this article, based on the insights of cardiologist Dr. André Wambier, we present five important steps you can take if you find yourself in this potentially life-threatening situation.
👉Important concepts
- Recognize the symptoms of a heart attack.
- Call for help immediately.
- Stay calm and conserve your energy while waiting for help.
- Find out what to do if you have aspirin on hand.
- Understand the importance of medical intervention and quick action.
📌Recognize the symptoms
- Chest pain : This is the most common symptom. It often feels like pressure, tightness, or heaviness in the chest.
- Radiating pain : Pain may radiate to the arms (especially the left one), neck, jaw, or back.
- Shortness of breath : You may feel like you can’t breathe, even when you’re resting.
- Sweating : Unusual cold sweats may be a sign of discomfort.
- Nausea or vomiting : This can sometimes be confused with stomach problems, especially in women.
- Feeling dizzy or unsteady : Feeling faint or unsteady could be a sign of a serious problem.
- Severe anxiety : A heart attack may be accompanied by a sudden feeling of depression or panic.
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially chest pain, it is important to act quickly.
