If you think you're having a heart attack alone, immediately call emergency services (like 000 in Australia or 911 in the US), stay calm, chew an aspirin (if not allergic), take prescribed nitroglycerin, unlock your door for paramedics, and rest in a comfortable position (sitting/lying down) while waiting for help, as immediate medical attention is crucial for survival. Avoid driving yourself or attempting "cough CPR".
During a heart attack, you should never ignore symptoms, don't drive yourself to the hospital, avoid strenuous activity like coughing CPR, and never give aspirin unless a medical professional advises it. The most critical action is to call emergency services (like 911 or 000) immediately to get paramedics and trained care en route as quickly as possible.
Take aspirin, if recommended.
Don't delay calling 911 to take an aspirin. Call for emergency help first. Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed. If you think you're having a heart attack and you have a prescription for this medicine, take it as directed while waiting for emergency medical help.
Some people die suddenly from a complication of a heart attack before reaching hospital or within the 1st month after a heart attack. But with treatment many people survive a heart attack. The outlook often depends on: age – serious complications are more likely as you get older.
There is nothing anyone can do to stop a heart attack when it is happening. However, there are things people can do to help avoid having a heart attack in the first place. These include eating healthy, being physically active, not smoking, and getting plenty of sleep.
Before a heart attack, common warning signs often appear hours, days, or weeks ahead, including chest discomfort (pressure, squeezing), pain or discomfort in other areas (arms, back, neck, jaw), shortness of breath, and cold sweats, alongside other signs like nausea, lightheadedness, or unusual fatigue, with women often experiencing these subtler symptoms more frequently.
The “7 second trick to prevent heart attack” refers to a simple, quick breathing or movement-based technique believed to stimulate heart rate, circulation, and calm the nervous system. It often involves: Deep breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 3) Coughing technique (used in CPR-like situations)
Common heart attack symptoms 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 sweat.
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Foods to avoid after a heart attack
Sitting upright with your back supported and knees slightly bent is often the safest choice. This position reduces pressure on your heart and lungs while keeping blood flowing efficiently. Lying flat can worsen symptoms by making it harder for your heart to pump effectively.
An ECG can show if you are having or have had a heart attack. Blood tests. Certain heart proteins slowly leak into the blood after heart damage from a heart attack. Blood tests can be done to check for these proteins (cardiac markers).
Heart attack survivors often feel many emotions, including depression, fear and anger. Your moods may change a lot. It can take a few weeks for negative feelings to improve.
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Cardiologists generally advise avoiding processed meats, sugary drinks and sweets, and foods high in trans fats and sodium, like most fried foods and salty snacks, because they raise bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation, significantly increasing heart disease risk. Focusing on whole foods and limiting these culprits is key for heart health.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of heart attacks. CHD is a condition in which the coronary arteries (the major blood vessels that supply the heart with blood) become clogged with deposits of fats such as cholesterol and other substances. These deposits are called plaques.
A heart attack during sleep may not always wake the individual, but some signs to watch for include: Unexplained sweating: Profuse sweating while asleep can be a symptom. This may result from the body's autonomic response to a blockage in blood flow.
Educate yourself: Learn about the physical symptoms of stress, anxiety, and panic attacks to differentiate them from heart issues. Practice relaxation: Try deep breathing, mindfulness techniques, or muscle relaxation. These can help you calm anxiety and reduce any physical symptoms.
chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest. pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy. feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint. You may also break into a cold sweat.
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Anxiety disorders fall into several categories. Here are a few of them: Panic disorder – can be associated with cardiac disease or mistaken for heart attack. Feelings of extreme agitation and terror are often accompanied by dizziness, chest pains, stomach discomfort, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate.
“Smoking is one of the most harmful things people can do to themselves,” Dr. Maniar says. Blood flow drops, slashing oxygen that fuels the heart, which compensates by spiking blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and can lead to hardened and narrowed arteries and blood clots causing cardiovascular disease.
Heart-healthy drinks (other than water)
Taking aspirin during a heart attack is safe and recommended. If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Aspirin alone won't save your life if you're having a heart attack.