How Should First Aid Be Administered for a Heart Attack?

Recent deaths from heart attacks have drawn attention as Turkey has witnessed a series of tragic losses among well-known public figures. While immediate medical intervention is crucial in heart attacks, first aid measures that can be applied before professional help arrives can also be life-saving. Özlem Karagöl, Head of First Aid and Emergency Medicine Program at Altınbaş Üniversitesi, provided information on the symptoms of heart attacks and first aid measures to be taken during a cardiac crisis.

"Keep the patient in a semi-sitting position"

Karagöl drew attention to chest pain as one of the most important signs of a heart attack, stating that when chest pain is felt, warning signs suggestive of a heart problem include the pain lasting longer than 15 minutes, worsening with movement, and lack of relief with rest, and that it should also be checked whether the patient is taking heart medications. Emphasizing important points for proper first aid application in heart attacks, Özlem Karagöl shared the following: "Check the patient's vital signs and place them in a comfortable position or lay them flat. A semi-sitting position is generally the most comfortable for such situations. Ask them to rest and not move. If their clothing is tight, loosen it. Reassure the patient and calm them down. Re-evaluate the patient. Ask whether they have had similar pains before. Ask whether the patient is taking medication for heart problems. If they have their prescribed medication with them, allow them to take it. If available, ask them to chew an aspirin tablet and then swallow it with some water. If the patient has no previous heart disease and has not experienced similar symptoms before, evaluate them as if they are having a heart attack. Call 112 emergency services or have someone call for help. Stay with the patient until health personnel arrive."  

"Do not attempt to make them cough, do not strike their back"

"Interventions found online that spread misinformation, such as making a person cough or striking their back, are of no benefit. Such practices, to the contrary, will increase the body's stress load and place greater strain on the heart," said Instructor Özlem Karagöl, who listed the correct first aid measures for heart attacks as follows:

"If someone near you is having a heart attack; if you have no medical experience, do not intervene with someone having a heart attack, do not give heart medications belonging to other patients or yourself. Immediately request ambulance assistance and get the patient to the nearest fully-equipped hospital. In the meantime, lay the person having the heart attack in an appropriate location. Raise their legs above heart level to try to increase blood flow to the heart. Assist by loosening tight clothing and undoing ties." What should someone do if alone during a crisis?

Providing information about what should be done if someone is alone during a heart attack, Altınbaş Üniversitesi First Aid and Emergency Medicine Program Head Instructor Özlem Karagöl stated that there is no action a person can take during a crisis to open a blocked blood vessel, and that the patient should immediately call relatives when pain starts to inform them of the situation. Reminding that the door of the location should be left ajar so that those coming to help can enter, Karagöl said, "Exercise should not be done to reduce pain. One should absolutely not go under cold or hot water. Cold water in particular is very dangerous in such situations. Because it constricts heart blood vessels and can cause narrowing of unblocked vessels as well. Assistance should be awaited while lying down or sitting. One must absolutely not stand up. Because a patient arriving at the hospital with a heart attack should not have a trauma problem. If the person has fallen and struck their head, treatments related to the heart attack may not be able to be performed due to the blow to the head," he shared.