Heart attack: First aid

A heart attack is heart damage caused by reduced or blocked blood flow to the heart muscle. Another name for the condition is myocardial infarction. A heart attack is a medical emergency. First aid for a heart attack that causes sudden cardiac arrest includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It can help save a person's life.

Call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you or someone else might be having a heart attack.

Symptoms of a heart attack may include:

• Chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing or aching.
• Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the upper belly.
• Cold sweats.
• Fatigue.
• Heartburn or indigestion.
• Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Shortness of breath.

A heart attack usually causes chest pain that lasts more than 15 minutes. The chest pain may be mild or severe. Some people don't have any chest pain or pressure. Symptoms may be less obvious in some people, especially for women, those with diabetes and older adults. For example, the heart attack symptoms may include only nausea or a brief or sharp pain felt in the neck, arm or back.

Some heart attacks happen suddenly. But many people have warning signs hours or days in advance.

• Call 911 or your local emergency number. Don't ignore the symptoms of a heart attack. If you can't get an ambulance or emergency vehicle to come to you, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only if you have no other option.
• Take aspirin, if recommended. Aspirin helps prevent blood clotting. Taking aspirin during a heart attack may reduce heart damage. Don't take an aspirin unless your healthcare professional or emergency medical operator says to do so. Don't wait to call 911 so you can take an aspirin. Call for emergency help first.
• Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed. If you have a prescription for this medicine, your healthcare professional should have told you when and how to take it. Do not take someone else's nitroglycerin.
• Start CPR if the person doesn't have a pulse or isn't breathing. If you're not trained in CPR, do hands-only CPR. That means push hard and fast on the person's chest. Do this about 100 to 120 times a minute. If you're trained in CPR and confident in your skills, start with 30 chest compressions before giving two rescue breaths.
• Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is nearby and the person is not conscious. The machine gives shocks when needed to help the heart beat as it should. An AED gives clear voice instructions. The machine gives shocks only when it's safe and needed.

Lifestyle changes can keep the heart healthy and may help prevent a heart attack.

• Don't smoke, use tobacco or vape.
• Get regular exercise.
• Keep a healthy weight.
• Eat healthy foods and use less salt and saturated fats.
• Limit alcohol.
• Manage stress.
• Manage blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
• Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily.

Also, it's a good idea to learn CPR and how to use an AED so you can help someone who's having a heart attack. Ask your healthcare team if there are any accredited first-aid training courses you can take in your area.