Heart Disease

Heart Disease is one of the biggest killers in the Western World, which can lead to heart attacks, angina and possibly death. There are many factors which cause Heart Disease and they can be broken into Changeable factors and Unchangeable. Changeable factors are ones we have control over. Unfortunately we cannot change the unchangeable factors, so if your a Irish male over 50 with a family history of heart problems, you have high risk of having Heart Disease.

Heart Attack

It most commonly occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is suddenly obstructed due to a blockage. It is very serious and can cause cardiac arrest.

Signs & Symptoms:

• A dull chest pain that can radiate to the jaw and the left arm.
• Shortness of breath.
• Can feel like severe indigestion.
• "Ashen" skin and blueness of lips.

Treatment: Reassure the casualty and place them in a half sitting position to ease the pressure on the heart. Call for an ambulance and constantly monitor and record the casualties vital signs (Pulse and breathing rate). If they have any medication help them to take it. If the pain persists and they are fully conscious give them one tablet of ordinary Aspirin to chew.

Angina

This is the narrowing of an artery that can be brought on by exertion but is usually relieved by rest. People with a history of angina usually carry a spray (Glyceryl Trinitrate) that they spray under their tongue to relieve the attack.
Treatment: Get the casualty to rest in a comfortable position and reassure them. If they have any medication help them to take it. If the pain persists call an ambulance, and suspect a heart attack.

Chain of Survival

The chain of survival show the essential links in trying to save a persons life. It shows that survival of a cardiac arrest patient depends on a series of critical interventions. If any of these critical actions is delayed or neglected survival is unlikely.

1. Early Accesses- The first intervention is to get to the patient as soon as possible and to call an ambulance.
2. Early CPR- You must then commence CPR to artificially keep the person breathing and some blood circulating.
3. Early Defibrillation- As you have already called an ambulance advanced medical help should come and use a defibrillator.
4. Early Advanced Care- This is specialised treatment to stabilise the casualties condition quickly and efficiently.

Each link is as important as the others and the casualties chance of survival is greatest if you follow those steps.

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation

This is the skill necessary to artificially provide circulation of blood to the brain and air to the lungs in order to prevent damage to the brain. It is done till medical help arrives.
It is only ever preformed on someone who is

• Unconscious
• Not breathing
• No Pulse or signs of circulation

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation

CPR is a resuscitation technique that is used to maintain circulation until help arrives by providing artificial respiration's and chest compressions to a casualty.

1. "Shake & Shout". You do this by shaking there shoulders and saying "Hello, can you hear me?". If they do not answer, it means that they are unconscious.
   
   
2. You must then Send for Help. If there is a bystander get them to call an ambulance, if there aren't any you must call an Ambulance as any unconscious casualty will need to go to hospital.
   
   
3. You then check if they have an airway, are breathing. You do this by checking the A. B. of the casualty. They Stand for Airway, Breathing & Circulation.
   
   

   • Airway

     You must now open the casualties airway by first tilting the head back by placing two fingers under the casualties chin and your other hand on their forehead. You then check to see if there is any obvious blockages to the airway by looking around the casualties mouth. If you see anything you can remove it by sweeping it out with your finger.
     
     

   • Breathing

     Next, you check the if the casualty is breathing by Look, Look, Listening and Feeling for a breath for 10 seconds. You do this by placing your cheek above the casualties mouth and you look to see if the chest is rising and falling, you listen to see if you can hear the casualties breath and you try to feel their breath on your cheek.
     
     
     If the casualty is not breathing, you then must Give Two Rescue Breaths to the casualty . You do this by forming a tight seal with your mouth around their mouth. You pinch the nose and breath into the casualty. When you do this make sure the chest rises, and that you don't breath to hard as this can force air into their stomach which can cause them to vomit. Make sure you remove your lips between rescue breaths so the casualty can allow the air to escape.
     
     If there is signs of breathing you must start to give 30 Chest Compressions.

     • You kneel right beside the casualties chest and remove the casualties top.
     • You then find the position to give the compressions by running your index finger along the bottom of the ribs till you come to the centre part. 
     • You then place two fingers above that point and place the heal of your other hand down directly above your fingers. This is the point at which you should apply pressure.
     • You then place your other hand on top and lock your fingers and elbows.
     • You then lean over the casualty and press vertically down to compress the chest 1½ to 2 inches.

     
     After the 30 compressions you have completed your first cycle of 2 breaths and 30 compressions. After Four Cycles You Recheck for Signs of Circulation. If it is still absent you continue with another four cycles. However if it is present you check if the casualty is breathing. If they are not breathing you commence Artificial Respiration by giving a rescue breath every 5 seconds and checking the pulse after every 10th breath. If they are breathing you place them in the recovery position and treat any life threatening injuries.

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Copyright © 2007 Irish Red Cross Kanturk-Millstreet Branch
Last Update: 23/07/2008 22:18