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Help! My Friend is Having a Heart Attack, What Should I Do?

Help! My Friend is Having a Heart Attack, What Should I Do?

Help! My Friend is Having a Heart Attack

One of the causes of a heart attack is plaque buildup in the arteries. Eventually, the arteries become blocked, cutting off the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. If the blood is not quickly restored, the section of the heart muscle begins to die. The process of plaque buildup can occur over a period of many years, but most of us think of a cardiac attack as a sudden event, because we see the person at the critical point of collapsing from the lack of oxygen.

There is no way to predict when someone is about to have a heart attack. It is important that companies train their personnel on how to recognize when someone is experiencing a cardiac event and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Employers should also have an automated external defibrillator accessible to their employees and make sure that all employees are trained on how to use them.

If you encounter someone in cardiac arrest, you should call 911 immediately. Determine whether the person is unconscious, not breathing and have no pulse. If there is an AED available, open the lid on the unit and follow the voice commands.

The AED will tell you where to place the electrodes and patches on the person. The unit will perform an analysis of the person to determine if there is a shockable rhythm. If so, the voice prompts will tell you when to press the button to deliver a defibrillation pulse. After the shock is given, the machine will reanalyze the person. If the machine detects a heart rhythm, it will advise you to check for a pulse. If there is no pulse, the machine will advise you to administer CPR. This cycle will continue until no shockable rhythm detected or emergency personnel arrives. If the person regains consciousness, you should keep the person as comfortable as possible until emergency personnel arrives.

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Michelle Clark, RN ICU/CCU
Michelle Clark, RN ICU/CCU
As a seasoned Nurse (RN) in Critical Care, CCU (Cardiac Care Unit), and ICU (Intensive Care Unit) with nearly three decades of experience, specializing in Cardiopulmonary care, I've embarked on a new path as a trusted figure in the realm of sudden cardiac arrest and first aid. With a profound dedication to patient well-being honed throughout my nursing career, I now utilize my expertise to enlighten and empower others in life-saving methods. Leveraging my comprehensive understanding and proficiency in critical care, I endeavor to leave a lasting imprint in healthcare by promoting awareness and offering practical guidance.
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