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What is it?A heart attack is when one of the arteries carrying blood to the heart becomes blocked, often by a blood clot. The main risk is that the heart will go into abnormal rhythm and stop beating, called cardiac arrest. Symptoms- Severe chest pain that doesn't ease with rest
- Breathlessness and nausea
- Giddiness
- Sense of doom
- Irregular pulse
- Ashen, cold skin and blue lips
First aid aimsMake casualty comfortable and get emergency help. Actions- Sit casualty in a supported position with knees bent
- Call 999, ask for an ambulance and say you suspect a heart attack
- If the person is conscious, give them a 300 mg tablet of Aspirin to chew
Further actionMonitor the casualty's condition and be prepared to give resuscitation if they lose consciousness.
This article was reviewed by the British Red Cross in December 2009.
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information. Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.
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