How to Deal with a Heart Attack: Step-by-Step Guide 

INTRODUCTION:
Goal: This chapter should make the reader realize that heart attacks are a medical emergency that must be taken immediately and may even save a life. This information guide is for information purposes and does not serve as any form of medical advice.
A heart attack is a medical condition that must be attended to at once. You need to know how to react fast if you, or a family member near you, has the likelihood of having a heart attack. The following steps help guide you through if you experience a heart attack-from symptoms identification to calling emergency help.

In a nutshell,
1. Recognize Heart Attack Symptoms
- Purpose: Empower the reader to understand the earliest signs of the disease so they act fast.
- Information
- Chest ache or pressure: It felt squeezing; it feels like a tight band is tied very tight across chest.
- Other pain sites: The pain might be felt in the arm (usually left), jaw, neck, back, or stomach.
- Dyspnea: Dyspnea especially with chest discomfort
- Other signs: Nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, and cold sweats.
- Tip: Do not assume that everyone experiences the traditional signs. Some people feel extremely tired or just a little bit sick.

2. Dial 911 (or Emergency Number) NOW
- Objective: Your first and most significant action in having a heart attack is to call for help.
- Details
It may seem slight, but these kinds of attacks can quickly become real heart attacks. Medical attention should be received immediately.
What to say to the operator: Describe symptoms clearly; your location; medications or medical conditions, such as a history of heart disease.
- **Do not wait**: Time is of the essence—earlier treatment can prevent further damage to the heart muscle.
- Example
"If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Do not delay getting help. Describe your symptoms to the operator. The sooner you call, the better your chance of survival and recovery."

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3. Chew an Aspirin (if medically instructed)
- Objective: Aspirin thins the blood, which, in most cases, a heart attack is caused by further clotting.
- Information
- How it helps: By preventing the clot from getting any bigger, aspirin lessens the damage to the heart.
- Caution: Take aspirin only if prescribed by your healthcare professional or if it's a known part of your heart attack action plan.
- How to take it: Chew one regular-strength aspirin (usually 325 mg) slowly. Don't swallow it whole.
- Caution: The patient, if allergic to aspirin, has a medical history of gastrointestinal problems, and is also on blood thinners **do not to take aspirin without calling your physician**.

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4. Keep Yourself Calm and Rest
- Goal: Stress Relief and No strain on heart.
- Knowledge:
- Repose: If you feel a tightness in your chest, sit down or lie down and remain inactive.
- Breathing: Deep, slow breathing is helpful to relax your nerves and reduce anxiety.
- Stay Calm: Panicking will aggravate the situation and make it even harder for the paramedics to assess the situation when they arrive.
- Example
"Even though this may be difficult, remain as calm as possible. Anxiety and stress can worsen symptoms. Sit down, take slow, deep breaths, and wait for emergency help to come.

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5. Do Not Drive to the Hospital
Objective: Driving delays treatment and is unsafe to do with symptoms of heart attack information
Why not to drive
• In case you feel chest pains; you are better not driving it yourself because you can easily even black out or be inattentive. This poses a hazard to you and other individuals on the road.
•Always call for an ambulance. Ambulances will come prepared with care whilst in transit to the hospital, and their time at coming will be way before even calling any hospital.

6. Perform CPR If the Person Becomes Unresponsive or Stops Breathing
Purpose: This is for keeping the blood circulating around the heart in order to keep the person alive and ensure that other emergency workers have something to work with once they arrive.
Details
If a person loses consciousness and stops breathing, start performing CPR right away.
How to do CPR:
Position your hands on the middle of the breast, interlock your fingers and you push down very hard and quickly at least 2 inches deep, 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Keep on doing CPR till help comes or when this person begins breathing.
Note: If you're not sure how to perform CPR, many emergency dispatchers will walk you through how it's done.
 
 
7. Medical Follow-Up
- Objective: Recovery from a heart attack is often accompanied by more prolonged medical care and lifestyle modifications.
- Explanation
Follow-up care After a heart attack, one has to follow up with the treatment plan laid out by the doctor. The follow-up care might be in the form of medication, surgery, or rehabilitation.
Lifestyle modifications With your doctor, develop a suitable heart-healthy lifestyle plan involving diet, regular exercise, stress management, and adherence to prescribed medication.
Follow up and watch out for the onset of heart failure or other complications that could ensue because of the attack on your heart.

Purpose Summarize the main things a person should do if he or she feels they are having a heart attack and remind them to follow-up with their healthcare providers. Example
"A heart attack is a serious medical condition, but knowing what to do when it happens really makes a difference. Dial for assistance right away; take aspirin if told to by your emergency responders; try to remain as calm as you can while awaiting emergency care; and be sure to take all doctor's orders for treatment afterwards.
-Know Your Risk Factors: Know your risk factors, including your family history, cholesterol levels, and lifestyle habits, in order to prevent heart attacks from occurring in the future.
Heart Attack Action Plan: Some heart patients already have a personalized action plan prepared by their healthcare provider. Be sure you know this information before an emergency happens.