Cardiac emergencies, as a type of sudden and serious health problem, often inadvertently threaten people's life safety. Whether it is acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, or arrhythmia, these emergency situations require rapid and effective initial rescue measures to win valuable time for subsequent professional treatment.
1、 Understanding the Symptoms of Cardiac Emergencies
The symptoms of cardiac emergencies often come suddenly, and understanding and identifying these symptoms is the first step in initial rescue. Common symptoms of cardiac emergencies include chest pain, especially a feeling of compression, compression, or pain located behind the sternum, which may radiate to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back.
Dyspnea: Sudden shortness of breath, wheezing, especially during rest.
Dizziness or fainting: feeling dizzy, having black eyes, and even losing consciousness.
Sweating, nausea, or vomiting: Sudden heavy sweating accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
Abnormal heart rate: If the heart rate is too fast, too slow, or irregular, palpitations may be felt.
Once the above symptoms occur, especially chest pain that persists for more than 15 minutes without relief, it should be immediately considered a cardiac emergency and emergency medical measures should be taken.
2、 Stay calm and immediately call the emergency number. In the face of a cardiac emergency, it is crucial to remain calm. The first step is to call the local emergency number immediately, such as 120 in Chinese Mainland. During the call, it is important to clearly inform the operator of the patient's symptoms, age, gender, location, and any known history of allergies or chronic diseases. These pieces of information help emergency personnel make accurate judgments and quickly dispatch ambulances and professional medical staff.
3、 Ensure patient safety and adopt appropriate posture
While waiting for emergency personnel to arrive, ensure that the patient is in a safe environment to avoid further harm. If the patient is conscious, they can sit or lie down on the spot and choose the most comfortable position, such as a semi recumbent position, to reduce the burden on the heart. At the same time, ensure good ventilation in the surrounding environment, loosen tight clothing such as the patient's collar and belt, and keep the respiratory tract unobstructed.
4、 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: The Key to Restarting Life
For patients with cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a crucial step in saving lives. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation includes two parts: chest compressions and artificial respiration. If the witness has received training and confirms that the patient has lost consciousness and stopped breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be initiated immediately. The pressing area is located in the middle and lower part of the sternum, with hands overlapping and palms exerting force. Press at a frequency of 100-120 times per minute, with a depth of about 5-6 centimeters per press (for adults). For untrained bystanders, it is recommended to only perform chest compressions until professional rescue personnel arrive.
5、 If an automatic external defibrillator (AED) is equipped on site, it should be used immediately. AED is a portable device that can automatically analyze a patient's heart rhythm and administer electric shocks when necessary to help restore normal heart rhythm. When using an AED, follow the voice prompts on the device to ensure that the patient's chest is dry and sweat free, correctly place the electrode pads, and press the discharge button at a safe distance.
6、 Administer nitroglycerin to patients (if applicable)
For angina patients, if they are conscious and carry nitroglycerin with them, they can be instructed to take one sublingual tablet. Nitroglycerin can rapidly dilate coronary arteries, reduce cardiac burden, and alleviate angina pectoris. However, it should be noted that patients should not swallow nitroglycerin to avoid affecting the efficacy of the medication. Meanwhile, the use of nitroglycerin should follow medical advice and is not suitable for all patients with cardiac emergencies.
7、 Continuously monitor the patient's condition and maintain communication with emergency personnel. Throughout the initial rescue process, continuously monitor the patient's consciousness, breathing, and heart rate, and be prepared to take further rescue measures at any time. At the same time, maintain telephone contact with emergency personnel and follow their guidance to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of rescue measures.