“It could happen at any time”: How would I react if someone had a heart attack?

For example?
As in men, there may also be classic chest pain that spreads to other parts of the body. However, we observe that women suppress such complaints themselves and often express them only when specifically asked. Symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, nausea, sweating, anxiety, tiredness and shortness of breath are more common in women and cannot be ignored.

What else can you do wrong when having a heart attack?
I don’t think it affects young, fit people. This is absolutely not true. 30-year-olds are dying of heart attacks. The assumption that women are not affected by this situation is also a common misconception. When asked about the most common cause of death in women, breast cancer is usually mentioned. It is available, most women go for regular check-ups. This is very good, but the most common cause of death in women is actually cardiovascular diseases and therefore heart attacks. Little attention is paid to the heart in women’s health care. But after menopause this will be especially important.

For what reason?
Estrogens partially protect the vessels against calcification, so women become more susceptible to heart attacks a few years after menopause.

How often are you called to a heart attack in daily life?
In fact, most of our operations focus on cardiovascular system diseases. These include heart attacks, as well as strokes and pulmonary embolisms.

What urgent measures do emergency services take for patients with suspected heart attack?
First of all, we take an ECG, an electrocardiogram, and measure vital signs such as blood pressure and oxygen saturation. We also clarify the patient’s history; This means: symptoms as well as previous illnesses, allergies, pre-existing medications, and more. If it is a heart attack and the tests allow it, we give aspirin, morphine, oxygen and nitroglycerin if necessary. In this case, it is important to transport the person as quickly and gently as possible to the nearest hospital where the cardiac catheter treatment option is available.

If someone is experiencing the mentioned symptoms, what can an ordinary person do?
The most important thing: Notify paramedics immediately by calling the emergency number 144. In case of a heart attack, the following rule applies: “Time is muscle mass.” The longer the heart muscle tissue is undersupplied with oxygen, the more it dies irreversibly. Make sure the person is sitting upright and breathing deeply and slowly when the alarm is sounded. Remove tight clothing, maybe even open a window. The person should feel like he is getting enough air. It is important to stay calm because any stress puts an additional strain on the heart. Additionally, in order to respond immediately in an emergency, you should never leave the person alone until emergency services arrive.

What does this mean?
If the person loses consciousness, he is placed in the recovery position and monitoring continues. If a cardiac arrest occurs, it is essential to immediately begin resuscitation (chest compressions) for survival.

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As a layman, can’t you make a lot of mistakes when it comes to first aid?
The only thing you can do wrong is to do nothing. Alerting emergency services is part of first aid. And communication is extremely important right now. When I talk to people and tell them what’s going on, they feel much safer than if I do my job quietly or ramble technical terms into their heads when talking to colleagues.

As a professional, you have this peace of mind. So how do you do this without experience? How do you overcome the fear of doing something wrong?
With education. There are clubs and companies that regularly take part in training courses, which is great. However, you can also attend the emergency aid course yourself. It eliminates the fear of doing something wrong. This way you help yourself, society and your environment. Because actually something can happen at any time.