The very first thing that you should do if you suspect you or someone you are with is having a heart attack is to dial 112 or 999 and request an ambulance immediately.
Because the blockage in the artery results in heart muscle damage, the sooner emergency treatment arrives, the quicker the blockage can be managed so as to reduce the severity of damage to the heart and maximise the patients’ long term prognosis.
If you are not allergic to aspirin and have them close to hand chew one aspirin tablet but do this only after calling for an ambulance. Do not get up and wander around the house looking for an aspirin. This may put unnecessary strain on your heart.
The patient should then sit and rest while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
The following video describes symptoms of a heart attack and what you should do. For more informational videos please visit our YouTube Channel.