Sep
16
Heart Attack is a condition in which a portion of the heart muscle is damaged due to inadequate supply of Oxygen to that area. If immediate first aid and medical attention is not given, there may be a Cardiac arrest. That is, the heart stops to pump enough blood to the vital organs.
Help to take Medication
The person must be made to sit down and be calm. Loosen any tight cloth. Ask if the person takes any chest pain medication for a know heart condition. Help the person take the medication (usually nitro glycerine which is paced under he tongue.).
Under unconscious Condition
If there is no breathing or pulse the patient has a cardiac arrest and do the following. Raise the legs up to 12 to 18 inches to allow more blood to flow towards the heart. Immediately place the palm of your hand flat on the patient’s chest just over the lower part of the sternum (breast bone) and press your hand in a pumping motion once or twice by using the other hand. This may make the heart beat again. If the action do not restored the pulse or if the subject doesn’t begin to breathe again provide artificial respiration immediately and begin to give CPR.
How to give artificial respiration
Tilt the head back and lift up the chin. Pinch the nostrils shut with two fingers to prevent leakage of air. Take a deep breath and seal your own mouth to the persons mouth. Breath slowly into the person’s mouth-it should take about two seconds to adequately inflate the chest. Do this twice. Check to see if the chest rises as you breath into the patient. If there is resistance try to hold the head back further and lift the chin again. Repeat this procedure until help arrives or person start breath again.
How to perform CPR
Artificial respiration and CPR should be performed both at the same time.
Look at the person’s chest and find the ‘upside-down V’ shaped notch that is made by the lower edge of the ribcage. Place your middle finger in this notch and then place your index finger beside it, resting on the breastbone. Take the heel of your other hand and slide it down the breastbone until it is touching this index finger. The heel of your hand should now be positioned on the middle of the lower half of the breastbone. Now place the heel of your other hand on top of the first. Keep your fingers off the chest, by locking them together. Your pressure should be applied through the heels of the hands only. Keep your elbows straight, and bring your body weight over your hands to make it easier to press down.
Press down firmly and quickly to achieve a downwards movement of 4 to 5cm, then relax and repeat the compression. Do this 15 times, then give artificial respiration twice, and continue this 15:2 procedure until help arrives. Aim for a rate of compression of about 100 per minute. You can help your timing and counting by saying out loud ‘one and two and three and four …’ etc.
Make sure the patient continues breathing and has a pulse until the Ambulance arrives.
Carolyn
