A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked and that part of the heart muscle becomes deprived of oxygen and starts to die. If the casualty does not get urgent first aid assistance and expert medical treatment, damage to the heart can be permanent and is often fatal.
Risk factors
• Age. Men age 45 and older and women age 55 and older are more likely to have a heart attack than are younger men and women.
• Tobacco use. ...
• High blood pressure. ...
• High cholesterol or triglycerides. ...
• Obesity. ...
• Diabetes. ...
• Metabolic syndrome. ...
• Family history of heart attacks.
Signs and symptoms
• Pain, pressure, tightness or heaviness in the chest, shoulder(s), neck, arm(s), jaw or back.
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Pale, cool, clammy skin
• Feeling dizzy, light-headed or short of breath
• Collapse
• Loss of consciousness
First aid steps:
• Call ambulance
• Assist casualty to rest immediately
• Assist them to take any prescribed medication
• If casualty is conscious sit them in safe comfortable position
• Monitor and record vital signs
• If casualty is unconscious follow Basic Life Support steps
Dr. Rania Abd Elmohsen Abo Elnour (lecturer in Almostaqbal University _ College of medical and health Techniques and sciences )