Heart attack first aid

Alternative names:

first aid for heart attack; first aid for cardiopulmonary arrest; first aid for cardiac arrest

Symptoms:

In adults:

• Chest pain below the sternum (breastbone)
  • Pain may radiate
  • To the chest, arms, shoulder (see shoulder pain)
  • To the neck, teeth and jaw (see toothaches, face pain)
  • To the back
• Abdominal pain



• Pain is prolonged, typically greater than 20 minutes
• Pain is similar to angina, but not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin
• Any prolonged chest pain, back pain, or abdominal pain
• Pain that may be described as:
  • "bad indigestion"
  • Intense, severe, subtle, or absent
  • Squeezing or heavy pressure
  • "an elephant sitting on my chest"
  • A tight band on the chest
  
  
  
• Shortness of breath occurs suddenly
  • May or may not be accompanied by pain
  
  
  
• Cough
• Lightheadedness, dizziness
• Fainting
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating, may be profuse (diaphoresis)
• Dry mouth
• Feeling of "impending doom"
• Anxiety

Note: The victim commonly denies that he or she may be having a heart attack.

In babies and children:

• Victim is limp and unresponsive
.


• Skin is bluish in color.

Updated Date: 02/09/00

Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial