Surf Life Saving Australia

Heart Attack

A heart attack is a sudden and complete blockage of a coronary artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

A person is often conscious and breathing with chest pain.

Signs and symptoms

  • arms may feel heavy
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • this can often feel like a heaviness, tightness or pressure in the centre of the chest
  • it may feel it’s spreading from the chest to different parts of the upper body—arm(s), shoulder(s), neck, jaw and/or back
  • feeling nauseous
  • feeling generally unwell or ‘not quite right’
  • feeling dizzy or light-headed
  • feelings of indigestion
  • pale skin
  • shortness of breath
  • sweating
  • vomiting

Note

  • Some people may present signs and symptoms of a heart attack as a warning sign before cardiac arrest occurs.
  • Signs and symptoms can come on suddenly or develop over minutes and get progressively worse.
  • The person may have just one symptom, or a combination of several.
  • The person may suffer from a condition known as angina, which presents the same signs and symptoms as someone experiencing a heart attack. First responders should manage people with angina as a suspected heart attack.

Management

  1. Send for help, additional resources (AED) and request an ambulance.
  2. Reassure and advise the person to sit comfortably and rest.
  3. Loosen any tight clothing.
  4. Assist the person to take aspirin (300 mg) where available.
  5. Monitor and reassure the person while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Note

  • Place the person in the recovery (lateral) position if they become unconscious and are breathing normally.
  • Commence CPR and apply an AED if the person becomes unconscious and is not breathing normally.
  • Dissolvable aspirin is preferred when available.
  • First responders qualified in advanced resuscitation may safely administer oxygen to persons showing the signs and symptoms of angina. Refer to the SLS Pathways website or the appropriate person at your SLS club for more information on advanced resuscitation training.
  • Refer to the latest ARC Guideline for the Recognition and First Aid Management of Heart Attack to learn more.