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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person with sudden, severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort that may spread to the arm, jaw, or back — possible heart attack.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sudden pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pain spreading to left arm, both arms, jaw, neck, back, or upper stomach.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, or feeling of doom.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pain that does not go away with rest.
Scene hazards: Driving while symptomatic, Crowded stressful environment
Do not let them walk around or climb stairs — this increases strain on the heart.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ask: "Are you having chest pain?" — take it seriously even if they downplay it.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 immediately or tell someone to call while you help them sit down.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Help them stop any activity — sitting or lying down with head slightly raised.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Loosen belts, ties, and tight clothing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they have nitroglycerin and know how to use it, help them take it as prescribed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they become unresponsive and stop breathing — start CPR immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay calm, speak reassuringly, and monitor until ambulance arrives.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "I think someone is having a heart attack. They have severe chest pain."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Describe their age, symptoms, and whether they have heart medicine or allergies.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow the operator's instructions — do not hang up until told to.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Suspected heart attack always needs emergency hospital care — clot-busting treatment works best within the first hours.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If symptoms stop before help arrives, they still need evaluation — the heart attack may not be over.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT let them drive themselves to hospital — call an ambulance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give them food or drink — they may need emergency procedures.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT tell them to "wait and see" if pain is severe or lasting.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give aspirin unless they are not allergic and emergency guidance allows it — when in doubt, wait for the operator.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Heart attack pain is always crushing and obvious
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Some people — especially women and diabetics — have mild pain, nausea, jaw ache, or extreme tiredness instead.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People delay calling for help because symptoms do not match what they expect.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The heart muscle may not be getting enough blood because a coronary artery is blocked or narrowed. This is a medical emergency.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Heart attacks can happen to anyone but are more common in older adults, smokers, and people with diabetes or high blood pressure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Women and people with diabetes sometimes have milder or different symptoms — nausea, jaw pain, extreme fatigue — without classic chest pain.