First Aid for Heart Attack: Early Steps That Save Lives

Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest: Are They the Same?

In simple words, NO, they are not. A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, and the heart muscle becomes injured. A cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively, and the person loses consciousness and stops breathing normally. A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, so rapid recognition and action are vital to save lives.

Early Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person. Some people have classic chest pain; others have more subtle signs. Knowing the range of early symptoms of a heart attack helps you recognise trouble before it becomes catastrophic. Common early symptoms include:

• Pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the centre of the chest that lasts more than a few      minutes or comes and goes.

• Pain or discomfort spreading to one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.

• Cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, or dizziness.

• Unusual or unexplained fatigue, especially in women; symptoms that feel like indigestion or severe heartburn.

If you see these signs, treat them as urgent. Many authoritative sources list these same symptoms and urge early action.

The Single Most Important First Step: Call For Emergency Help

If you suspect a heart attack, please contact emergency services right away. In India, use the local emergency number or the ambulance service available in your area. Early professional care, including quick transport to a hospital with cardiac treatment, saves heart muscle and lives. Do not drive the person to the hospital yourself unless there is absolutely no other option and no help can arrive. Trained emergency crews can begin treatment on the way in.

What to Do During a Heart Attack: Practical Dos

When the person is conscious and breathing normally, these steps help stabilise them until ambulance staff arrive.

• Keep the person sitting comfortably, slightly reclined. This reduces strain on the heart and makes breathing easier.

• Stay calm and reassure the person. Anxiety raises heart rate and oxygen demand.

• Loosen tight clothing around the neck and chest. Make the airway comfortable.

• If the person is conscious and not allergic, give one adult aspirin (300 mg non-enteric) to chew, unless a clinician has told them not to take aspirin. Chewing speeds absorption. Do these procedures only after you have called emergency services, not before. Aspirin can reduce clot growth in many heart attacks.

• If the person uses prescribed nitroglycerin for angina and it is available, help them take it exactly as they have been instructed previously. Do not give nitroglycerin to someone who is not prescribed it.

• Prepare to start CPR and use an AED immediately if the person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally.

What Not to Do During a Heart Attack: Practical Don’ts

In an emergency, well-intentioned actions can sometimes make the situation worse. Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do. The following highlights the key mistakes that can delay treatment or increase risk during a suspected heart attack.

• Delay calling the ambulance to try remedies at home. Time is muscle.

• Give the person anything by mouth if they are drowsy, vomiting, or unable to swallow safely.

• Allow the person to drive to the hospital unless absolutely necessary. Emergency teams begin life-saving care on the way.

• Give narcotic painkillers or other medicines unless prescribed, and you are certain they are safe in this situation. Some drugs interact with cardiac medications.

• Wait for the pain to go away. If symptoms suggest a heart attack, call for help now.

Do’s and Don’ts When You Suspect a Heart Attack

Recognising Cardiac Arrest and Why CPR Matters

If the person suddenly collapses, becomes unresponsive, and is not breathing normally, treat it as a cardiac arrest. Proper CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and heart until the heart can be restarted with an electric shock from an AED or definitive care in a hospital. Immediate bystander CPR can double or triple survival chances for cardiac arrest victims. If you are untrained in rescue breathing, do hands-only CPR: press hard and fast in the centre of the chest at about 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
 

How to Give Hands-Only CPR (Simple Steps)

When a person collapses and is not breathing normally, every second counts. Hands-only CPR is simple and effective and can keep blood flowing to the brain and heart until medical help arrives. The steps below show you exactly what to do, even if you have never been trained before.

• Check for responsiveness by tapping and shouting. If no response, call for emergency help.

• Expose the chest and place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest, then place your other hand on top.

• Lock your elbows and press down at least two inches, allowing full chest recoil between compressions.

• Maintain a rate of about 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Keep going until help arrives or the person shows signs of life.

• If an AED is available, turn it on and follow the voice prompts as soon as possible. Use pads as directed and do not touch the person while the AED analyses or shocks.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED): When and How to Use One

An AED delivers a controlled shock that can restart a dangerously irregular heart rhythm. Place pads as directed, stand clear while the AED analyses, and deliver a shock if the device advises it. Early defibrillation, combined with CPR, offers the best chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest. AEDs are increasingly available in public places and workplaces; know where they are in your office or gym.

Special Situations and Practical Tips

In some emergencies, the person’s existing medical conditions or daily medications can influence what you should do first. Being aware of these situations helps you respond safely and confidently while waiting for professional help. Keep the following points in mind:

• If the person is diabetic, unconsciousness may be due to low blood sugar. Confirm rapid blood glucose if a glucometer is available, but do not delay calling emergency services for suspected heart attack or arrest.

• For elderly people or those on multiple medications, keep a list of current medicines handy for paramedics. Certain cardiac medicines and interactions affect first aid choices.

• If you are caring for someone with known heart disease, discuss an emergency plan with their cardiologist and keep prescribed emergency medications where they are easily accessible.

• Consider learning CPR and AED use; many community centres and workplaces run short courses. Regular refreshers help you stay effective.

How Long Should You Continue CPR?

Continue CPR until one of these happens:

• Emergency medical services arrive and take over.

• The person shows clear signs of life, such as breathing or purposeful movement.

• You are physically unable to continue.

• An AED or medical professional instructs you otherwise.

Why Early Aspirin is Recommended and When It Is Not?

Aspirin can limit blood clot growth in many heart attacks and is commonly advised for a conscious, alert adult who is not allergic. Chewing 300 mg speeds absorption. However, do not give aspirin to people with a known allergy to aspirin, active bleeding, or when a healthcare professional instructs otherwise. Importantly, calling emergency services comes first; aspirin should not delay that call.

Conclusion

When the heart is under threat, simple, calm, swift action matters more than anything else. Recognise the early symptoms of a heart attack, call for emergency help immediately, give aspirin when appropriate, and be ready to begin hands-only CPR and use an AED for first aid for cardiac arrest. These steps save heart muscle and lives. You don’t need to be a clinician to be effective; a clear head, a quick call for help, and confident chest compressions are what make the difference.
For personalised advice about heart risk or to arrange a preventive check, book an appointment with our cardiology team at Manipal Hospitals Bangalore.