How to treat a Heart Attack

There is a global increase in the number of heart attacks, especially in the Western world. Due to this international major medical insurance has become a necessity for many people. It is important to purchase an international major medical insurance plan whilst you are still young and healthy, this way there will be few, if any, exclusions of pre-existing conditions.

A heart attack occurs when the muscle of the heart has an inadequate blood supply. This may be caused by a blood clot blocking a coronary artery. This may cause the muscle to be damaged, or die, or cause interference with the electrical activity of the heart, causing it to stop beating. When the heart stops beating, this is known as cardiac arrest. Damage to the heart muscle is a heart attack.

A patient’s international major medical insurance plan will cover them for the cost of emergency treatment but the first few moments of an attack can be vital. This page is designed to give you additional information to aid the patient before emergency services sent by your international major medical insurance plan arrive.

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

The symptoms of heart attack vary, but the most common is a prolonged, oppressive pain or unusual discomfort in the centre of the chest, behind the breastbone. The pain may radiate to the shoulder, arm neck, or jaw. Sometimes the symptoms may subside and then return. There may also be sweating, weakness, nausea and shortness of breath. A heart attack patient may or may not become unconscious.

ALL CASES OF CHEST PAIN SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

• If the symptoms occur, an ambulance should be called at once. Telephone your local emergency number and ask for an Ambulance.
• If unavailable, the patient should immediately be taken to the nearest hospital. Every minute is vital in cases of suspected heart attack. A patient should not be allowed to drive himself to hospital.
• If the casualty is conscious reassure, gently support with pillows, and place in a half sitting position with knees bent.
• Do not allow the casualty to move unnecessarily as this will put extra strain on the heart.
• Loosen any tight clothing around the neck, chest and waist.
• Treat for Shock.

Remove to hospital immediately maintaining the treatment position if possible.

If the patient is unconscious:

• Call your local emergency number and say cardiac emergency first.
• If breathing and heartbeat has stopped, begin the resuscitation immediately.
• Remove to hospital immediately continuing resuscitation on the way, if necessary.
• If the casualty becomes unconscious, but is breathing normally, place in the recovery position.
• Check pulse rate continuously.

We have a large number of experienced medical consultants that would be pleased to answer any of your questions or provide you with quotes for international major medical insurance. Feel free to contact us and we will ensure your enquiry is replied to via telephone or email within 24 hours.