A heart attack is when one of the arteries carrying blood to the heart becomes blocked, often by a blood clot. This can result in a lack of oxygen to the heart, which may then stop.

What is it?

A heart attack is when one of the arteries carrying blood to the heart becomes blocked, often by a blood clot. This can result in a lack of oxygen to the heart, which may then stop.

The term 'heart attack' is the common name for myocardial infarction (MI).

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 aims

Make casualty comfortable and get emergency help.

Actions

• Sit casualty in a supported position with knees bent
• Go to the nearest hospital or ask for an ambulance and say you suspect a heart attack
• Allow the casualty to take any medicine they have for an existing heart problem

Further action

Monitor the casualty's condition and be prepared to give resuscitation if they lose consciousness.