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Daniel G
Oct 9, 2006, 05:58 PM
Can you send me a step by step procedure for emergency steps when a person has a heart attack?

Thanks.

beautifuldiva
Oct 9, 2006, 06:26 PM
"During a heart attack, act immediately. Take these steps:

* Call for emergency medical help. If you even suspect you're having a heart attack, don't hesitate. Immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. If you don't have access to emergency medical services, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only as a last resort, if there are absolutely no other options. Driving yourself puts you and others at risk if your condition suddenly worsens.
* Take nitroglycerin. If your doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin, take as instructed while awaiting the arrival of emergency medical personnel.

If you encounter someone who is unconscious from a presumed heart attack, call for emergency medical help and, if you have received training in emergency procedures, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This helps deliver oxygen to the body and brain. If you're not trained in emergency procedures, doctors recommend skipping mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and proceeding directly to chest compression. The reason is that if you're distracted by trying to perform unfamiliar breathing techniques, valuable lifesaving minutes might be lost for the person who needs help. The most important thing you can do is to proceed directly to chest compression in order to deliver blood to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart. Do chest compressions at a rate of 100 a minute."

I found this from this site

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00094.html

jgj6331
Oct 12, 2006, 05:58 AM
Daniel,

There are no "one size fits all" procedures for suspected heart attacks - each case will be different and will have to be modified to the situation. Imagine you are far out in the wilderness hiking - the steps you take will be somewhat different than if you are in the middle of a crowded shopping mall. #1 in importance, learn and be proficient in CPR - they will review in detail the steps you need to take. Courses are available and you should take one. Contact the American Heart Association or the Red Cross to see where you can take one in your area. Until you can take a course, here is something from another website. Notice that giving aspirin is now recommend (if the patient is not allergic). This helps reduce the amount of damage.

-Call for emergency help by dialing 911. Remain on the line. Do not take the person to a hospital in your own car.
-Be calm and take actions that make the victim feel less excited.
-Have the victim sit or lie down.
-Ask the person if they take any medications for chest pain, such as nitroglycerin. If so, get it and follow the written instructions on its use.
-Ask the person if they are allergic to aspirin. If they are not allergic, have them chew an aspirin as soon after calling 911 as possible. (Aspirin or medicines that have aspirin in them should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age. Taking aspirin is a risk for a serious illness called Reye's syndrome.)
-If the person stops breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Tell the 911 operator that this has happened.
-If the pulse stops, begin CPR. Continue until help arrives.

I'd like to add - if you are in a public area (mall, government building, etc.), have someone else search for a portable defibrillating device and follow the directions on the device. These devices are now available for purchase too - if you or someone in your family is at risk, you may want to look into buying one.