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Questions and Answers
What is the first step in CPR if the patient is not breathing?
How long should you ventilate the patient during CPR?
What is the recommended rate of chest compressions during CPR?
How should nitroglycerin pills be administered during CPR?
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What is the purpose of loosening tight clothing around the neck during CPR?
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What is the main difference between a heart attack and angina?
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What is the most suitable action to take if the person is unconscious and not breathing?
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What is a common symptom of a cardiac emergency in women?
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What is the primary cause of a heart attack?
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What is angina pectoris?
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Study Notes
Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack
- Cardiac arrest and heart attack are life-threatening emergencies that require immediate attention, with only a few minutes to act before it's too late.
- Angina (angina pectoris) is a "miniature heart attack" caused by a short-term blockage, often occurring after strenuous exercise or high stress.
Heart Attack vs. Angina
- A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood supply to the heart or part of the heart is cut off, leading to death of the heart muscle due to oxygen deprivation.
- Heart attacks usually occur after periods of rest or being recumbent, and rarely occur after exercise.
- Angina should start to relieve shortly after resting (a few minutes), whereas a heart attack will not relieve with rest.
Symptoms of Cardiac Emergency
- Chest pain: tightness, pressure, or pain in the chest (often described as "crushing")
- Back pain: above or between the shoulder blades, often radiating into the left arm, and the jaw
- Nausea or indigestion (especially in women)
- Pale, cool, clammy skin
- Impending sense of doom
First Aid Management
- If the person is unconscious and not breathing, treat them as if they are in cardiac arrest.
- CPR should begin immediately on anyone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
- Call for help immediately if the patient is not breathing, and provide resuscitation until the patient begins to breathe or the paramedics arrive.
CPR Procedure
- Establish unresponsiveness and alert for emergency medical service
- Position the casualty
- Establish an open airway
- Look, listen, and feel for breathing (3-5 seconds)
- Ventilate twice (1-2 seconds) per breath
- If no pulse (5-10 seconds), locate compression site and begin compressions
- Do 30 chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute or more, and let the chest rise completely between pushes
Treatment and Medication
- Call for assistance, as a possible cardiac problem is serious and should never be ignored
- Medication: nitroglycerin, which should be placed directly under the tongue for absorption, never chewed or swallowed
- Loosen tight clothing, especially around the neck, to help the victim relax and access the chest
- Help the victim sit reclined, with the body leaned back at about 45 degrees, with feet on the floor, but knees raised (the "W" position)
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Description
Learn about the symptoms and differences between cardiac arrest, heart attack, and angina. Understand the importance of timely action and the causes of these life-threatening conditions.
