How To Survive A Heart Attack If You Are Alone?

Aspirin is an anticoagulant, which is why it helps improve blood flow.

Just thinking that we can have a heart attack at any time is something that scares us a lot, because we know that in the majority of cases the consequences can be fatal.

However, what should worry us more is not being prepared for a case like this, and even more so if we spend a lot of time alone. 

Knowing how to react to the symptoms of a heart attack can be crucial in saving our lives.

In many cases it is difficult to act when we are alone, but if we heed certain recommendations we can reduce the risks and receive professional attention on time.

What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

Before giving you the tips for surviving a heart attack, it’s important to explain the difference between a cardiac arrest and a heart attack. It is very common to confuse the two when they are different things.

Even though cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction (medically correct term for heart attack) are produced by problems with the blood flow and blood supply to the heart, the two have very different ways of onset. 

Cardiac arrest occurs when the blood flow to our body decreases, causing the heart to contract irregularly or more fragile.

The consequence of this is that all parts of our body no longer receive the necessary supply of oxygen and therefore the person loses consciousness since the brain lacks oxygen.

On the other hand, a heart attack or, better said, myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood flow is cut off in a particular area of ​​the heart, usually due to an arterial obstruction.

The consequence of this is that the cells in this area of ​​our heart start to die and, if not treated in time, this impaired supply of blood and oxygen to the heart can cause serious damage to the muscles. heart and tissue.

Different symptoms

The symptoms usually associated with a heart attack and which allow us to act in time are pain in the chest. Shortness of breath, palpitations, excessive sweating, nausea, fatigue, among others.

Now that you know the differences between cardiac arrest and heart attack,  we invite you to find out how you must react to survive a heart attack if you are alone.

It should be noted that there is no completely effective way to survive a heart attack. But that these tips can be decisive.

How to deal with a heart attack?

• First of all, you should call an emergency number when you start to feel physical discomfort and suspicious pain in the heart area.
  If you have been diagnosed with any type of heart disease, contact the medical center from which you are receiving your treatment.
  If you are driving and you experience symptoms, stop immediately and call 911 as soon as possible.
• No matter if the medical center or hospital is nearby, you should never try to drive yourself. C ar you might pass out at any time while driving. And it can end badly for you and for others.
• If you are already taking medical treatment for heart disease, you may have a nearby, over-the-counter beta-blocker drug.
  When you find it, take a pill and wait for help.
  If this is the first time this has happened, take an aspirin as soon as possible and chew it well.
  This medicine helps prevent blood clots from forming. Which will help improve blood flow and relax the arteries. This is very useful to prevent the problem from getting worse while help arrives.
• As much as possible, stay calm and still. In order to avoid overworking the heart muscle which is already exhausted.
• If possible, press hard on the chest, where the heart is located. To prevent the latter from stopping beating, although this is very difficult when we are suffering from a heart attack. And it’s easier for another person to do it.

Other information

Now that you know how to go about relieving a heart attack on your own, you must be wondering why we brought up the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack?

Many of you have probably heard of the information on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, done through coughing or coughing-CPR (on a continuous basis) at the time of a heart attack.

Although this method is not incorrect and has helped save many people, many people are unaware that it is a method to be applied in case of cardiac arrest.

These tips are not comprehensive and do not explain the difference between these two issues. Which prevents some people from doing the right thing.

We hope this article has been of great help to you!