Heart Attack Response: Seek Help

Video Transcript

"What to do when you're having a heart attack. When you or one of your loved ones suffering the signs and symptoms of a heart attack there is the chest pain, especially that radiates to your left arm and jaw; you need to seek help immediately. The American Heart Association recommends that you do not wait any longer than five minutes to activate the 9-1-1 system. When you have a heart attack, it is indicated to summon EMS, the emergency medical service. Trained paramedics as myself are able to respond to you quickly, and start the initial treatment to come save your heart. Remember the concept that time is muscle, that is, that a lapse in time is a loss in muscle. The longer you wait; the more damage that's done. If you're not able to activate 9-1-1, do not drive yourself. You need to have a friend or family member drive you to the hospital. So often, people that suffering a heart attack want to go to their doctor's, and suffer a car wreck on their way, because they lose consciousness from the heart attack. A few other things that you can do is when you're suffering a heart attack is, like you always see on the commercials or the television, is to take aspirin. Preferably, chewable aspirin, only if you're not allergic to it or sensitive. If you're in severe distress, that means pain, having a lot of shortness of breath, place yourself in a position of comfort. Your body will know best what that position is going to be. Most often, people will be in a sitting position, with the knees slightly bent, and they're bent over so it's going to help them breathe better. But most importantly, call 9-1-1."