How to prevent a heart attack

Many people worry about having a heart attack in their lifetime, and for good reason: An American has been estimated to have a heart attack every 40 seconds.

Although a heart attack is fatal, thousands of Americans survive heart attacks each year.

Working early can improve your chances of survival when a heart attack is suspected.

If you think you are having a heart attack, what should you do?

Most of the time, a heart attack begins slowly with mild discomfort and pain, giving warning signs before striking. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call 911 or have someone call 911 right away.

These can be signs of a heart attack:

Discomfort in the chest, especially in the center, that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes. Discomfort can cause heaviness, fullness, tightness, or pain.

Discomfort in the upper part of the body such as hands, back, neck, jaw or abdomen. It may feel like general pain or discomfort.

Labored breathing It can present with or without chest discomfort.

Unusual sensations such as a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or lightheadedness. Women are more likely to experience these symptoms than men.

1. Does anyone have an ambulance?

If other people are nearby, ask them to stay with you until EMS workers arrive. Calling 911 is often the fastest way to get emergency care, rather than asking someone in your car to drive you to the hospital. EMS workers are trained to resuscitate people experiencing heart attacks and can also take you to the hospital for quick care.

If you are in a public place, such as a store, school, library, or workplace, there is likely a defibrillator on hand.

A defibrillator is a type of device EMS employees use to resuscitate people with heart attacks. If you are still conscious at the beginning of your heart attack, have someone close to you find the nearest defibrillator. Defibrillators come with easy-to-use instructions, so a non-EMS worker may revive it if you have a heart attack.

2. Take aspirin

When you are still conscious, take a normal dose of aspirin (325 mg), if you have one. Aspirin works by slowing the blood's ability to clot. During a heart attack, aspirin slows blood clotting and reduces the size of blood clots that can occur.

Once EMS arrives, you will be transferred to the hospital, where you will receive care for a specific type of heart attack.

If you feel lonely, what should you do if you have a heart attack?

If you are single and experiencing any symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately. If you have one hand, take aspirin. Then open the door to your house and lie down close to it so EMS workers can easily find you.

Is there a faster way to stop a heart attack?

No, a hospital is not a quick way to stop a heart attack without seeking emergency medical treatment. You will find many heart attack treatments online. However, these "quick" treatments are not effective and can be dangerous by delaying emergency medical treatment.