Heart attack first aid steps
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Recognizing Heart Attack Symptoms and Immediate First Aid Steps
Recognizing a heart attack quickly is crucial. Common symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach, and sudden weakness or fainting. If someone shows these signs, it is important to act fast and provide first aid before emergency services arrive 69.
First Aid Steps for Heart Attack: Key Actions
1. Call Emergency Services Immediately
The first and most important step is to call emergency medical services as soon as a heart attack is suspected. Delaying this step can reduce the chances of survival and recovery 167.
2. Help the Person to Rest
Encourage the person to stop all physical activity and sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Keeping the person calm and still helps reduce the heart’s workload and can prevent further damage 39.
3. Administer Medication if Available
If the person has prescribed antianginal medication (such as nitroglycerin), help them take it as directed. If the person is not allergic and has no contraindications, and if recommended by local guidelines, giving aspirin (chewed) can help reduce heart damage 36.
4. Monitor Responsiveness and Breathing
Stay with the person and monitor their condition. If the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, be prepared to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 1346.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Cardiac Arrest
If the person collapses, becomes unresponsive, and is not breathing or only gasping, start CPR immediately:
- Place the person on their back on a firm surface.
- Begin chest compressions: push hard and fast in the center of the chest, at a depth of about 5 cm (2 inches) and a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute 1246.
- If you are not trained in rescue breaths, perform compression-only CPR 12.
- If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, use it as soon as possible .
Importance of Early and Correct First Aid
Starting first aid and CPR as soon as possible greatly increases the chances of survival after a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest. Delays or incorrect actions can reduce effectiveness and may even be harmful 147. Studies show that providing first aid before transporting the patient leads to better outcomes than waiting until after arrival at a hospital .
Common Mistakes and Misinformation
Many publicly available resources and even some digital tools provide incomplete or incorrect first aid instructions, such as failing to emphasize early chest compressions or giving unnecessary or unsafe advice. It is important to rely on trusted, up-to-date guidelines from organizations like the American Heart Association and the Red Cross 1368.
Cultural and Community Considerations
Cultural beliefs and lack of awareness can delay seeking medical help. Community education about heart attack symptoms, healthy lifestyles, and correct first aid steps is essential to improve outcomes and save lives 910.
Conclusion
The most important first aid steps for a heart attack are to call emergency services immediately, help the person rest, assist with medication if available, and be ready to start CPR if the person becomes unresponsive. Early, correct action can save lives, so it is vital to follow trusted guidelines and educate communities about heart attack first aid 13467910.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic