According to popular belief, heart attacks result from extreme stress or other strenuous activities like shoveling snow. While it is true that these can increase the risk of heart attacks, heart attacks can occur anywhere and anytime, even during activities like walking, shopping, or even lying on the couch.
So, if you have heart problems make sure you are prepared for a sudden need for medical attention.
First, if you experience an attack, be calm and try not to panic.
- Step 1 – Call 911
Calling 911 immediately can get to the hospital sooner as well as give you important information on what to do until help arrives. While calling 911, they may advise you to take aspirin to prevent a blood clot in the heart. But if you have any allergy issues related to aspirin or a bleeding disorder, make sure you mention it to the operator. No matter where you are, make sure that your first priority is to make sure that you let the emergency responders know before taking the situation in your hands.
- Step 2 – Call The Ambulance Service
During a heart attack, the more time you lose, the worse it gets. Call the nearest ambulance service immediately. Always save or note down emergency numbers. You can have it on speed dial, just in case.
Patients who call emergency ambulance services sooner have better chances at survival. While transferring a patient to a hospital, an ambulance is well-equipped to provide the patient with pre-hospital medical care. You can call Ambulnz medical transportation in case of any emergency.
- Step 3 – Sit or lie down
While waiting for the ambulance or help to reach you, sit down and try to relax. If you are wearing restricting or tight clothes, remove them and change into something loose fitting. Open your front door so that your medical transportation can enter without delay. Cooperate with them once they arrive. Understand that the medical personnel is well aware of what is to be done next. So, follow the instructions.
- Step 4 – Stay calm
It doesn’t matter how much you hate or love your life, the thought of death can be anxiety inducing. And anxiety is never a friend of any situation, including a heart attack. Take deep breaths and repeatedly try to tell yourself that help is on the way.
- Step 5 – Take nitroglycerin
Take nitroglycerin only if your doctor prescribed you earlier. Make sure you are not taking anyone else’s prescribed nitroglycerin, as it might make things worse. Nitroglycerin must be taken only if you’ve been prescribed it.
- Step 6 – Things to Carry to the Hospital
Whatever the medical emergency is, always bring your list of medical issues, allergies, medications with you. Make sure that you keep the list ready in your purse/wallet or anywhere at an arm’s length. If you don’t have the list, consider bringing some medicine bottles.
In case you are with someone who is a patient of heart attack, ask them if they have such a list but of course, that works if they are responsive. On the list, consider writing down a few other emergency information, like:
- Your address
- Phone numbers of family members
- Your doctor’s name and phone number
- Insurance information
Conclusion:
Living with heart disease is a painful experience that can define and dictate our lives. While emergency recovery might be successful, you should also work towards an overall recovery plan, and for that, you will need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. If you are a smoker, it’s time to let go of that habit. Quitting shouldn’t just be mere thought or words that come out in an emergency, but make it a priority.
A good diet, regular physical activity, and controlling your blood pressure will help you in the long run. Let us know if this article was informative and helpful.
