HEART ATTACK

DEFINITION The death of the cells in the area of the heart muscle where blood flow is obstructed can lead to heart attack. FACTS - approximately 30 minutes after blood flow is cut off some heart muscle cells begin to die - after about 2 hours half of the cells in the area can be dead - after 4 to 6 hours more than 90% of the cells will be dead

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS EARLY SYMPTOMS GENERALLY INCLUDE CHEST OR UPPER ABDOMINAL SENSATION OF PRESSURE OR BURNING, AND ARE OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR INDIGESTION * SUDDEN ONSET OF WEAKNESS, NAUSEA, AND SWEATING * CHEAT PAIN, DISCOMFORT, OR PRESSURE THAT IS OFTEN CRUSHING OR SQUEEZING * PAIN, DISCOMFORT, OR PRESSURE IN THE LOWER JAW, ARMS, BACK, ABDOMEN, OR NECK * IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT AND SYNCOPE (FAINTING) * SHORTNESS OF BREATH, OR DYSPNEA * LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

EMERGENCY CARE - activate EMS - provide emotional support, reassure and calm the patient - keep the patient at rest - place the patient in comfortable position - ensure an open airway and adequate breathing - cover to insure body heat - ask if the patient took nitroglycerin, when, how much, and over what period of time - provide oxygen - monitor vital signs