WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE HAVING A HEART ATTACK

1 Do not ignore warning signs such as extreme fatigue, chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness or pain in your arms

2 Do not drive, call an ambulance or get someone nearby to drive you. It is important to get to the hospital as soon as possible so that blood flow to the heart can be restored and damage to the muscle minimised

3 If the person is alert and breathing, then there is no need for CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation; it is better to rush the person to the hospital instead

4 CPR should be given if the person is unconscious. Call an ambulance too in the meanwhile. CPR uses rhythmic chest compressions to mimic how the heart pumps, and keep the blood flowing

5 To prevent blood clots, take aspirin (which is available under the brand names of Ecosprin, Sprin, Aspro, Eprin and Delisprin). Painkillers too can be given for chest pain. If you can call a doctor, take further advice based directly on the situation

“If you have pain lasting more than a few minutes, rush to a doctor. Continuous pain is not a good sign. If not a heart condition, it could mean something else”

DR VINAY KUMAR BAHL Principal Director, Cardiac Sciences, Max Healthcare