What should you do and what should you avoid if you have a heart attack and are alone? Clinical Associate Professor Chin Chee Tang, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS), responds.
Heart attack can occur at any time. What should you do if you’re alone? First, dial 911 for emergency medical assistance! If you had a heart attack while in the company of others, calling for help would most likely be your first instinct. But what if you have a heart attack while alone? Will you survive? Here’s what you should do. What should you do if you have a heart attack? 1. (First and foremost, call for emergency assistance.)
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If you have a heart attack, whether you are alone or with others, the first thing you should do is call for emergency medical assistance (call 995 if in Singapore). You must receive specialised treatment as soon as possible in order to save your heart muscle.
“If you are alone and have a heart attack, stop what you are doing, go to a safe place to rest, and call for medical help.” For example, if you’re driving, pull over to the side of the road and call for help,” suggests Clinical Associate Professor Chin Chee Tang, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS), a SingHealth group member.
What to do while waiting for medical assistance 2. Take some aspirin (if you are not allergic to it) When taken during a heart attack, aspirin is the most commonly used blood thinner in the world, increasing your chances of survival.
The majority of heart attacks are caused by a blood clot forming in one of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. As a result of the blockage, the heart is deprived of oxygen-rich blood, causing damage to the heart muscle, which eventually dies. Taking aspirin during a heart attack may be beneficial because it prevents the clot from growing larger, giving the body time to break down the blood clot. If you have aspirin at home and are not allergic to it, you could consider taking it while you wait for emergency medical services to arrive. 3. Lie down and remain calm. Don’t be alarmed! Stay calm, lie down, and rest while you wait for assistance.
