Heart Attack: When Victim Is ALONE

Each Mississippi is very vital when one gets HEART ATTACK.

 The signs of Heart Attack:

·       Intermittent Chest pain which can be moderate to severe and some discomfort

·       feeling of uncomfortable pressure, fullness

·       Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, and jaw

·       shortness of breath

·       nausea, vomiting

·       dizziness

·       cold sweat

Without help, one has only about 10-30 seconds before losing consciousness.

What does victim do if he/she is alone?

These victims can help themselves by :

1.  Coughing repeatedly and very vigorously: Coughing must be as deep from inside chest as possible similar to when producing sputum.

2.  Taking very deep breath before each cough.

3.  This must be repeated till help arrives, without break until help arrives, or the heart is felt to be beating normal.

Deep breath gives badly needed oxygen to body and heavy coughing movements squeeze heart and keeps blood circulating. The squeezing also helps heart in regaining normal rhythm.

This is like doing ‘Self CPR’.

This article is written under the guidance and instructions from Dr. R.S.Patel, a retired WHO medical officer for Africa, in charge of Preventive Medicine.