Heart Attack and Stroke Signs & Symptoms

Heart Attack:

Important:
You should NEVER attempt CPR without training!
You should NEVER attempt CPR on a person who is breathing!
Take a CPR class before you need to use it!
Call For Help Right Away.
Don't Wait.

Heart Attack
A heart attack is usually caused by lack of blood in the arteries to the heart. It may occur suddenly or
after prolonged angina (intermittent, insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle). It also occurs when
there's insufficient oxygen in the blood to the heart.


SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Persistent chest pain or discomfort: Victim may have persistent pressure, squeezing, or crushing type pain
in the chest that is not relieved by resting, changing positions, or medication.
Pain may spread to jaw, neck, or arms.
Difficulty breathing: Victim may feel short of breath or is breathing faster than normal.
Abnormal skin appearance: Victim's skin may be pale, ashen (gray), or bluish in color. Victim's skin may
also feel cool and moist.
Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting.
Nausea and/or vomiting.


If you recognize the signals of a heart attack

Always try to remain calm.
Have the victim rest in a comfortable position.
Confirm information about the victim's current condition.
*Is the victim awake, alert, breathing, etc. and what symptoms are there?
Have some one call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
Stay on the line and answer all of the 9-1-1 Dispatcher's questions. Follow the 9-1-1 Dispatcher’s
instructions. Do not hang up until the 9-1-1 Dispatcher says to.
Reassure the victim, stay with them and assist with medication, if prescribed for the victim.
If you are trained, be prepared to give CPR, if necessary.


What Not To Do

Do not wait for pain to go away unless medication has been given.
Do not attempt to relieve pain by walking or stretching.
Do not force victim into uncomfortable position.
Do not give anything by mouth except victim's prescription medication.
Do not leave victim alone.


CPR
This is intended for awareness, not as training. This is CPR for an Adult, Child CPR is different and you should seek out training in CPR for childern. NEVER use CPR on a person who is breathing, NEVER use CPR on a living person!
Bethlehem Volunteer Ambulance Service, is not responsalbe for misuse of the information provided, this information is for awarness only. Proper Certified Training is needed for CPR & AED use. You should seek out training in CPR. Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association about First Aid and CPR classes in your area.

1.      Call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number).
Check the victim for responsiveness. If there is no response, have someone call 9-1-1 or call 9-1-1 and return
to the victim.

2.      Tilt head, lift chin, check breathing.
Position the person flat on their back. Kneel by their side and place one hand on the forehead and the
other under the chin. Tilt the head back and lift the chin until teeth almost touch. Look and listen for
breathing.

3.    Give two breaths.
If the victim is not breathing normally, pinch the nose and cover the mouth with yours. Give two full
breaths. The person's chest will rise if you are giving enough air.

4.     Check pulse.
Put the fingertips of your hand on the Adam's apple, slide them into the groove next to the windpipe. Feel
for a pulse. If you can not feel a pulse or are unsure, move on to the next step.

5.     Hand position: Two hands on lower half of sternum. One hand on lower half of sternum. Two fingers
on lower half of sternum

6.     Pump 15 times.
Push down firmly two inches. Push on chest 15 times.

7. Repeat: Continue with two breaths and 15 pumps until help arrive

Stroke

Important:
Call for immediate medical assistance if you suspect a person is experiencing a stroke.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Stroke happens suddenly but may be prevented by responding to the following warning
signs immediately:

~Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body

~Sudden difficulties with speech and understanding what others are saying

~Sudden problems with vision -- dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye

~Sudden dizziness

~Sudden problems with walking

Another warning sign of stroke is called transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a
"mini-stroke." A TIA can cause many of the same symptoms as a stroke, but TIA
symptoms generally only last for a few minutes.


Risk Factors for a Stroke

Stroke prevention is still the best medicine. The most important treatable conditions linked
to stroke are:

~High blood pressure. Treat it. Eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, and
exercise to reduce blood pressure. Drugs are also available.

~Cigarette smoking. Quit. Medical help is available to help quit.

~Heart disease. Manage it. Your doctor can treat your heart disease and may prescribe
medication to help prevent the formation of clots. If you are over 50, NINDS scientists
believe you and your doctor should make a decision about aspirin therapy.

~Diabetes. Control it. Treatment can delay complications that increase the risk of stroke.

~Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Seek help. TIAs are small strokes that last only for a
few minutes or hours. They should never be ignored and can be treated with drugs or
surgery.