It’s something that we hope to never experience during our lifetime. A heart attack is a life-threatening condition that could change your life forever. However, with the appropriate knowledge and training, you will have the skills to help someone if they are suffering of a heart attack, potentially saving their life in the process.
Heart Attack Signs
The better you can recognize the signs of a heart attack, the higher chance you have of saving a life. Many Canadians die annually from heart attacks simply because they didn’t recognize the symptoms. Unfortunately, warning signs are not always severe or sudden, and they can greatly differ between individuals.
We all know that a pain in the chest is a common symptom, but a heart attack can occur without this chest pain as well. In certain cases, there may be a small pain in the chest. The pain can include minor discomfort, uncomfortable chest pressure, burning, heaviness or a squeezing pain. In many cases, individuals may think that they have heartburn, when in reality they are experiencing a heart attack.
Other signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Sweating
- Shoulder pain
- Neck pain
- Jaw pain
- Back pain
- Nausea
- Light-headedness
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms may include just one, some, or all of the above. If you suspect that you or a loved one may be experiencing a heart attack, it’s time to call 911 now. Sometimes, when experiencing a heart attack, a person will go down immediately, but at other times it may begin with discomfort or mild pain. Unfortunately, many individuals will wait too long before calling for help causing disastrous effects. If you have any doubt at all and feel that you may possibly be having an attack, get medical attention immediately. When it comes to this condition, every minute certainly counts.
Learning CPR is a must in today’s age. When you have the tools available to save a life, you should learn them so that you are fully prepared for an emergency situation. At Heart to Heart, we are committed to teaching individuals how to save lives. Visit our website at www.heart2heartcpr.com or give us a call at 416-960-5319 to enroll in a course today. A stranger, a friend or a family member may end up thanking you for it later!