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Awareness and First Aid
Image credit: Getty Images
When it comes to cardiac emergencies, knowledge can be the difference between life and death.
In a cardiac emergency, knowledge can be the difference between life and death – but would you know how to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack and what to do?
Recognising the warning signs
Heart attacks are life-threatening, so it’s vital to know how to identify the signs and react before medical help arrives. “The average person has the power to save a life during a heart attack – they just need to know what to look for and how to respond,” assures Petro Jonker, ER24 Learning and Development Facilitator.
It’s important to know that dramatic portrayals of heart attacks in movies and hospital series are often misleading, she emphasises. “The most common indicator is chest pain or pressure, which patients frequently describe as ‘an elephant sitting on the chest’. But the pain doesn’t always stay localised – it can also radiate to the arm, jaw, neck, or back, often accompanied by shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, or dizziness.”
The critical first response
“Time equals muscle,” Jonker says, referring to the medical principle that guides emergency cardiac care. “During a heart attack, part of your heart muscle isn’t receiving adequate blood and oxygen. The longer the treatment is delayed, the more heart muscle dies.”
Never ignore symptoms – if you suspect someone is having a heart attack, first call 084 124 for real help, real fast. “Keep the patient calm and seated, loosen any tight clothing, and monitor breathing and pulse continuously,” she says. “If the patient has prescription cardiac medication with them like nitroglycerin, or their doctor has advised them to take aspirin, you can ensure they take the prescribed dose.
"Only give aspirin when clear heart attack symptoms are present; the person is fully conscious and able to swallow; has no aspirin allergy; and isn't already on blood-thinning medications," Jonker says. The recommended dose of aspirin is 150-300mg, chewed rather than swallowed whole.
Don’t allow the patient to move or exert themselves and call for help immediately. Don’t give them food, drinks, or unprescribed medications, or leave them unattended.
Communicating with emergency services
Jonker shares a simple rhyme to help you remember what information the ER24 Contact Centre needs from you:
“Where you are. What went wrong. Who is hurt. What’s going on. Your name and number before you're gone.”
It’s vital that you provide an exact location with street address or landmarks and clearly describe the emergency as a suspected heart attack, she adds. “State the patient’s age and gender, and report their condition as accurately as possible, including consciousness level, breathing status and specific symptoms.”
Positioning the patient
For a conscious patient, Jonker recommends the W-position – a comfortable half-sitting position with back support against a wall or chair, knees bent, and feet grounded. “This reduces cardiac strain, facilitates breathing, and prevents sudden collapse if they lose consciousness,” she explains.
If the patient loses consciousness while still breathing, place them into the recovery position immediately. Move them onto their side with their head tilted back and mouth open. “This keeps the airways open and reduces the risk of choking if vomiting occurs,” Jonker says. “If they stop breathing, start CPR immediately and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available.
"Keeping the patient calm while you wait for emergency services to arrive is crucial. Speak gently, encourage controlled breathing, loosen any tight clothing, and provide consistent reassurance that expert help is on the way.
"Everyone should understand their personal risk factors – like high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. If heart disease runs in your family, you need to be even more proactive. Prevention starts with awareness.”