At least three people in the United States will have a heart attack while you read this article.
Sadly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans and 805,000 of us will suffer a heart attack this year. The numbers are scary but, fortunately, we can all do something about it.
“You do not need to be a doctor to help save someone’s life,” said Dr. Blake Wachter, a cardiologist with the Idaho Heart Institute and founder of the Idaho Heart Foundation. “You can make a huge difference simply by knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED.”
Cardiac arrest survival rates can be as high as 95 percent if CPR and an AED is used on people within the first three minutes.
Idaho Falls Community Hospital is joining Dr. Wachter and the Idaho Heart Foundation in their mission to create more community heart superheroes. You don’t need a cape, no special powers are required and the training is minimal. To become a heart superhero you simply need to know the signs and how to jump into action if the circumstances require it.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your superhero journey, continue reading.
Know the Signs of a Heart Attack:
Knowing how to recognize the signs of a heart attack could make the difference between life and death. The faster someone can get to the hospital, the sooner they can be treated, ultimately reducing the amount of damage done to the heart.
Someone may be having a heart attack if they are experiencing any or all of the following symptoms:
- Chest pain, discomfort or tightness in the center of your chest
- Feeling weak, light-headed or faint
- Pain or discomfort that spreads from the jaw, neck, back, arms or shoulders
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Symptoms can often be different for women and include nausea, pain in the upper abdomen and simply feeling off
“When it comes to your heart, it is always best to listen to your body and play it safe,” said Dr. Joe Anderson, Chief Medical Officer with Idaho Falls Community Hospital. “Early treatment can help minimize damage to your heart muscles, lower the risk of complications and improve your long-term outcomes. Heart attack symptoms should never be overlooked. If something doesn’t feel right to you, seek medical attention immediately.”
What to do if you Witness a Heart Attack:
- Call 911. Emergency medical personnel can start treatment as soon as they arrive and continue delivering lifesaving care all the way to the hospital. Remember, the most important part is getting to a hospital as quickly and safely as possible.
- Chew and swallow Aspirin. Aspirin can keep the blood from clotting, which will help it flow more easily until a patient reaches the hospital. Some studies show taking Aspirin may help minimize damage to the heart. It should only be taken if the person doesn’t have a known allergic reaction and after 911 has been called.
- If the person is unconscious, start CPR immediately. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that keeps blood flowing when the heart stops beating. According to the American Heart Association, performing CPR immediately after someone experiences cardiac arrest can double or even triple their chances of survival.
Even if you are not certified in CPR, if you see someone suddenly collapse, start pushing hard and fast in the center of their chest until first responders can arrive.
If you would like to become trained in CPR, please contact Idaho Falls Community Hospital’s Education Department at 208-542-7311 or visit the American Heart Association to find other local classes.
- Use an Automated External Defibrillator, AED, if one is available. An AED is an easy-to-use medical device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock to help stop an irregular heartbeat and re-establish a normal rhythm. All you need to do if follow the instructions on the device. It is important to know the machine will not shock the patient unless they are in cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm.
If you’ve read this far, congratulations. You are now officially a heart superhero!
You never know when your new superpowers may be called upon but, if you remember what you’ve just learned, you could help save someone’s life if they are experiencing a heart attack or cardiac arrest.