Cardiovascular
Emergencies
Heart Attack
• Blood supply to part of the heart
muscle is reduced or stopped.
• Recognizing a heart attack
– Chest pressure, squeezing, or pain that
lasts longer than a few minutes or goes
away and comes back
– Pain spreading to shoulders, neck, jaw,
or arms
– Dizziness, sweating, nausea
– Shortness of breath
Care for a Heart Attack
• Call 9-1-1.
• Help victim into
comfortable
position.
• Assist with
prescribed
medications.
– Nitroglycerin
• Provide aspirin.
– Regular or chewable
Angina
• Heart muscle does not get enough blood.
• Brought on by physical activity.
• Recognizing angina
– Signs are similar to heart attack.
– Usually does not last longer than 10 minutes.
– Almost always relieved by nitroglycerin.
Care for Angina
• Have the victim rest.
• If the victim has nitroglycerin, help the
victim use it.
• If pain lasts longer than 10 minutes,
suspect a heart attack and call 9-1-1.
Risk Factors of
Cardiovascular Disease
• Cannot be changed
– Heredity
– Gender
– Age
• Can be changed
– Smoking
– High blood
pressure
– High cholesterol
– Diabetes
– Obesity
– Inactivity
– Stress
Stroke (Brain Attack)
(1 of 2)
• Blood flow to brain
disrupted
• Blocked or ruptured
blood vessel
Stroke (Brain Attack)
(2 of 2)
• Recognizing stroke
– Weakness, numbness, partial paralysis
– Blurred or decreased vision
– Problems speaking
– Dizziness or loss of balance
– Sudden, severe headache
Care for Stroke
• Seek medical care.
• If responsive, lay patient on back with
head and shoulders slightly elevated.
• If vomiting, place in recovery position.