Heart Attacks

Heart attack symptoms vary greatly and are not easy to identify. However, when the following symptoms occur, a doctor should be called at once:

• Moderate or severe pain or an uncomfortable sensation of pressure in the front of the chest. This sometimes spreads to the arms, throat, or back, and often lasts for hours, especially when it is accompanied by sweating, shortness of breath, weakness, or occasional loss of consciousness. Often the patient does not experience what he considers to be pain and hence does not think he has a heart attack.
• Nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can be mistaken for acute indigestion; only a physician can tell the difference.

Until the doctor takes charge, the patient should be placed in a position most comfortable for him, either lying or sitting. Tight clothing should be loosened. The patient should be kept from chilling, but he should not be made to perspire by use of too many blankets. He should not be lifted or carried without the doctor's supervision, or given anything to drink without the doctor's advice.

The time needed for a patient to recover depends on the extent of heart damage, the rate of healing, and whether or not complications develop. Most people can return to work after recovery, although some may have to make adjustments in their jobs and manner of living.

Angina pectoris is an uncomfortable sensation of pressure, tightness, or pain usually in the front part of the chest. It is a sign that the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen through its blood supply. An attack is ordinarily brought on by over exercise, excitement, or overeating. Usually, rest or nitroglycerine tablets will relieve the pain in a few minutes.