Everything You Need to Know About Heart Attack First Aid

Jul 2, 2022

When the oxygen supply to the heart is cut–off due to an ailment or illness, it could lead to a cardiac arrest. In such a situation, it becomes crucial to seek medical attention. But until the medics reach the patient, it could be too late. As such, one may need to take measures at home until help is available. Here is a comprehensive guide on providing heart attack first aid until professional help arrives.

Early symptoms of a heart attack

Before providing first aid during a heart attack, you should know the most common symptoms that denote a heart attack, including:

Chest pain or pressure
Squeezing sensation
Cold sweat
Tightness in the neck and jaw
Palpitations or fast–beating heart
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Vomiting
Nausea
Light–headedness

Steps to provide first aid treatment for a heart attack

Seeing a loved one go through a heart attack can be stressful, but it is essential to stay calm and composed to provide proper care. Here’s what you should do.

Call an ambulance: Before providing first aid, quickly call 102 for an ambulance. Avoid driving the patient to the hospital as ambulances are equipped with medical instruments that can be used to provide immediate care.
Make the patient sit or lie down: You can ease some strain by helping the patient be in a comfortable position.
Loosen any tight clothing: Do not shy away from loosening the patient’s clothes. Unbutton the patient’s shirt or blouse, loosen or remove ties, etc.
Check for medication: If the patient has been taking medications for heart attack, help them take it immediately. The medicines prescribed would consist of nitro–glycerine, which helps open up blood vessels and ease chest pain.
Perform CPR or chest compressions: If the patient loses consciousness, you should conduct a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). If you are unaware of CPR, provide hands–only chest compressions.

While attending to the patient should be your first priority, try and spare a minute to locate your medical insurance policy, which comes in handy during the hospitalisation process.

Importance of a health insurance policy

A heart attack is a severe condition that can put your life at risk. In case of mild heart attacks, doctors usually prescribe blood–thinning medications. However, if the attack is severe, the patient may need to undergo angioplasty or an open–heart bypass.

The costs of these surgeries are typically high and can drain your savings, so you should be prepared for the same before a medical emergency occurs. The only way to do so is to buy medical insurance. You can opt for a general health insurance policy or a Critical Illness Health Insurance Policy to pay for the high costs associated with treating such life–threatening illnesses.

Buy Medical Insurance Today

Cardiovascular diseases have become more common than ever, and the costs of getting them treated are increasing too. While you should know how to provide first aid treatment for heart attack, the most sensible thing to do is to buy health insurance that covers various costs, including diagnosis, hospitalisation expenses, medication, and other associated treatment costs.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

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