Life is precious and it is alive when heart is beating but when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops pumping blood you may get into cardiac emergency. It may happen at any time to anyone. As per WHO, Health Statistics the mortality rate due to heart causes has taken over the mortality rate of all cancers put together. Heart attacks are on the rise for people in their 30s and 40s. The reasons related to heart disease is the lack of awareness among people about what needs to be done during a cardiac emergency. Every adult should know what conditions qualify cardiac or medical emergencies and learn about what actions are required before hand in case of cardiac arrest.

Lifesaving technique in case of cardiac arrest includes Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and shocks to the heart with a device called an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Survival is possible with fast, appropriate medical care by 50 percent. It is also important to know that if you have any loved one that has cardiac diseases because most cardiac arrests happen at home, So, people need be made aware of early signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest so that patient can get to hospital on time and people at home or hear the patient should be able to give CPR before medical help arrives.

What is the difference between sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack?

Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack happens when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked. It is caused by certain types of arrhythmias that prevent the heart from pumping blood. Sudden cardiac arrest does not happen due to a blockage. However, a heart attack can cause a change in the heart's electrical activity that leads to sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency.

What are the symptoms of Cardiac emergency and sudden cardiac arrest?

 

Signs of a cardiac emergency? ·         Chest pain or discomfort, pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, burning or heaviness ·         Upper body discomfort. Neck, jaw, shoulder, arms, back. ·         Sweating ·         Nausea ·         Feeling of a pounding heartbeat. ·         Rapid or irregular heartbeats. ·         Unexplained wheezing. ·         Shortness of breath. ·         Fainting or near fainting. ·         Lightheadedness or dizziness. ·         Cardiac arrest ·         Heart attack

Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest Symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest are immediate and severe: ·         Sudden collapse. ·         No pulse. ·         No breathing. ·         Loss of consciousness. Sometimes other symptoms occur before sudden cardiac arrest. These might include: ·         Chest discomfort. ·         Shortness of breath. ·         Weakness. ·         Fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart called palpitations. But sudden cardiac arrest often occurs with no warning.

If you see someone who is unconscious and not breathing, call your local emergency services and ask for ambulance. Then start CPR with hard and fast chest compressions. Use an Automated External Defibrillator, called an AED, if one is available.

What are the red flags for cardiac system?

The following are the red flags related to the cardiovascular systems. So, consult with your family or primary physician immediately because when the heart stops, the lack of oxygen-rich blood can quickly cause death or permanent brain damage.

1) Crushing chest pains,

2) Syncope (fainting/passing out, can happen when there is a sudden change in the blood flow to the brain),

3) Palpitations  (a rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat due to agitation, exertion, or illness, Stress, exercise, medication or a medical condition),

4) Shortness of breath,

5) Tingling/numbness in the arm,

6) altered level of consciousness,

7) Sweating, cold clammy skin,

8) Cyanosis a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood), and

9) The impending feeling of doom.

When and how to do CPR?

Do CPR if the person is not breathing. Push hard and fast on the person's chest about 100 to 120 pushes a minute. If you have been trained in CPR, check the person's airway. Then deliver rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. If you have not been trained, just continue chest compressions. Allow the chest to rise completely between compressions. Keep doing this until an AED is available or emergency workers arrive.

Portable Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), are available in many public places, including airports and shopping malls. You can also buy one for home use. AEDs come with step-by-step voice instructions for their use. They are programmed to allow a shock only when appropriate.

What to do if someone is having a heart attack?

·         Once you call the local emergency number, ask the patient to sit and rest until the ambulance arrives

·         If the patient is not allergic to aspirin and then give 1 tablet(300mg)

·         Stay with the patient until ambience arrives.

·         When the paramedics arrive, tell them if the patient has taken aspirin

What to do if someone is having a cardiac arrest?

·         Call your local emergency number and ask for an ambulance if someone stops breathing, loses consciousness, or does not respond to stimulation.

·         The phone handler will talk to you about how to do chest compression

·         If there is more than one person with the patient, then someone can collect a defibrillator for the patient if there is one nearby.

What to do if someone is having an angina attack?

·         Tell the patient to stop what they are doing and sit down.

·         Ensure the patient takes one dose of their glyceryl trinitrate (GNT) spray or tablet. After this, wait for 5 minutes

·         If the pain or shortness of breathlessness continues, then the patient should take a second dose of GTN. After this, wait for 5 minutes.

·         If the pain or breathlessness do not ease, then call the local emergency services.

·         If the patient is not allergic to aspirin and then the patient can shew 1 tablet (300mg).

·         When the paramedics arrive, and then tell them, if patient has taken aspirin.