The most important thing that you can do is to make sure that you have a good idea of what you are doing.
The first thing you should do is to call 120 once it happens, but what can you do before the ambulance crew arrives?
When it comes to home self-help for acute myocardial infarction, you have probably seen many versions, such as the three treasures at the head of the bed, the 10-second first aid method, the beat first aid method and so on, which are absolutely diverse. Some of them have some truth, some of them are complete bullshit.
Based on my own experience, I propose a new family self-help method for acute myocardial infarction, hoping to help some friends.
1. seizure triggers
Most may have a large amount of activity, especially after sudden exertion, emotional excitement, shock, full stomach, sudden cold, etc.
2. Seizure site
Precordial region: the area near the left nipple;
Lower sternum: the middle of the line between the two nipples;
Subxiphoid: commonly known as the heart opening, which is the apex of the upper abdomen;
These three areas are the most common. The range is usually palm-sized, and some people may also experience discomfort throughout the chest, even with discomfort near the shoulders, left arm, neck and teeth.
3. Seizure symptoms
The most typical symptom is a dull feeling in the chest, and some people may only have chest tightness or chest pain and difficulty breathing. It is often accompanied by irritability, fear, and in severe cases, even a sense of near death.
People who have had previous episodes of angina can compare the location and nature of the pain to a typical angina attack, but the degree is often more severe and lasts longer. Patients often report that “the pain is different this time” at the time of the visit.
Some people may sweat, even profusely. Some may experience dizziness, and if their blood pressure is measured, they may have low blood pressure or a slow heart rate. Some people may have a dull pain in the upper abdomen with nausea and vomiting, which can be easily mistaken for gastroenteritis.
4. Duration of attack
Typical episodes usually last more than 30 minutes, but episodes lasting more than 15 minutes should be taken seriously.
Some patients have episodes of only a few minutes, but the episodes are very frequent. Although the episodes may not be considered as heart attack, they are very likely to develop into myocardial infarction in a short period of time, and it is recommended to treat them with reference to myocardial infarction.
5. Age and other disease factors
Most often occur in middle-aged and elderly people, and there are differences between men and women, generally more common in men over 40 and women over 50.
The incidence of smoking, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obesity is significantly higher in people. Nowadays, the incidence of the disease in young people has also increased significantly after lifestyle changes.
6. Other auxiliary diagnoses
Acute myocardial infarction is a persistent blockage of the coronary arteries, so nitroglycerin or heart pills cannot completely improve the condition, but can at most reduce it a little. Generally, if 2 doses of nitroglycerin are not effective, then heart attack should be considered.
Specific measures: 1.
1. Call for help and call 120 in time
Calling for help is much more important than using any “bedside triplet” because a real myocardial infarction cannot be relieved by drugs or other odd methods of vascularization at home, and going to the hospital is the ultimate solution.
If there is a possibility of myocardial infarction: for example, chest pain that lasts more than 15 minutes and cannot be relieved by taking medication, you should call the emergency number at the first opportunity.
If there is no one else in the house, you should open the door so that emergency personnel can help. Notify your other key relatives immediately after contacting emergency personnel. 2.
2. Control emotions and reduce activity
Emotional agitation and activity can cause increased oxygen consumption by the heart and increase the risk. Therefore the patient should try to rest immediately in bed and call others to assist with other things. Be proactive in restraining your nervousness. Appropriate slow deep breathing can help lower the heart rate: deep breathing should not be too fast, otherwise it will cause hyperventilation, and once every 5 seconds is generally appropriate.
In addition, heart attack patients often experience weakness, dizziness and fainting, lying in bed or lying flat on the ground can avoid accidental injuries caused by falls and also benefit the blood supply to the brain.
3. Other treatment
Oxygen inhalation: If available, oxygen inhalation is a better choice.
Careful use of nitroglycerin tablets: some myocardial infarction will have low blood pressure, and the condition may be aggravated after containing nitroglycerin, so it is better to use it after taking blood pressure to make it clear that the blood pressure is not low. If there is no condition for blood pressure measurement, patients with a weak self-test pulse, dizziness, and dripping sweat should not take it blindly.
Do not take aspirin on your own: it takes a few minutes for aspirin to take effect slowly after eating. If the patient is not having a myocardial infarction attack, but has pain caused by other diseases, it may cause problems in the subsequent management: for example, stomach disease, aortic coarctation, other diseases that need urgent surgical treatment. If the patient’s blood pressure is too high, there is a risk of cerebral hemorrhage if high doses of aspirin are taken. Therefore, it is better to leave the decision of whether to take aspirin to the doctor.
People who are at higher risk of acute myocardial infarction.
Patients who have had a previous myocardial infarction;
Patients with coronary artery disease and more frequent angina attacks;
Patients with coronary artery disease who have a family history of myocardial infarction or sudden death;
These individuals need to have a number of daily preparatory measures in place in case of emergency.
Keep relevant medical records, medical insurance cards (books) and previous cardiac data together and in an easily accessible place, and inform other family members where to store them so that they can be accessed quickly in case of an attack. It is a good idea to put a contact card for immediate family members in the medical record book so that emergency personnel can contact family members. It is also a good idea to include allergy history and major medications in the medical record.
If possible, prepare a blood pressure monitor and oxygen intake facilities such as oxygen cylinders or oxygen concentrators in the home.
Have some medications available, such as nitroglycerin for patients who have frequent angina attacks. It can help to relieve symptoms during angina attacks and help to identify myocardial infarction attacks, if any.
Early onset of the disease to contact emergency personnel as soon as possible, do not insist on more than half an hour still struggling whether to go to the hospital, time is life.
Normally, you should inform your immediate family of your heart condition so that your family members are not able to inform the doctor of the situation when you are unable to describe it. Or keep a log to write down the daily medications, blood pressure and blood sugar values, etc., and put them together with the medical records.
Remember, acute myocardial infarction is a critical illness that the patient cannot manage on his or her own and has a high mortality rate, so the best course of action is to seek medical attention as soon as possible, rather than missing it.