Heart Attacks: Signs, Aspirin cure and its dosage. Here are life-saving tips from Doctors

Heart attacks claim millions of lives each year worldwide, making them a significant health concern. In response to this growing concern, healthcare professionals are stressing the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle to ward off this life-threatening condition.

Recently, Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy addressed a crucial query on Twitter regarding the proper use of aspirin in the event of a heart attack. Aspirin is widely recognized for its potential to protect against heart attacks.

A recent study, presented at the ESC Congress 2023, sheds light on the importance of aspirin. The study, which examined over 40,000 individuals aged 40 and older who had experienced their first heart attack between 2004 and 2017, revealed a significant finding: those who had suffered a heart attack previously and did not take daily aspirin were at a higher risk of experiencing another heart attack.

Dr. Krishnamurthy, responding to the query, provided the following guidance:

1. Position the person comfortably.
2. Check for signs of breathing and a pulse.
3. Administer a crushed aspirin tablet in water if the person is conscious and capable of swallowing.
4. If Sorbitrate or Isordil tablets are available, they can be given sublingually (under the tongue), but exercise caution as they can lower blood pressure.
5. Immediately call for an ambulance or head to the nearest hospital.
6. Do not permit the person to operate a vehicle or walk around.
7. Transport the individual to the nearest hospital equipped with cardiac care facilities as swiftly as possible.

How much aspirin do you take in case of a heart attack?
Dr. Krishnamurthy strongly recommends a 325mg dose of aspirin for the patient and advises against using Ecospirin 75mg as a substitute, as it "does not act immediately due to its enteric coated nature."

In addition to this valuable advice, it is crucial to be aware of the signs of a heart attack to facilitate prompt action. These common signs include:

• Chest pain or discomfort: Often described as a tightness, pressure, fullness, or squeezing sensation in the center of the chest.
• Radiating pain: Chest discomfort may extend to the arms (usually the left arm), neck, jaw, back, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath: Breathlessness, even at rest or with minimal exertion.
• Cold sweat: Profuse sweating that occurs suddenly and is unrelated to activity or environmental conditions.
• Nausea or vomiting: Symptoms that can be mistaken for stomach issues, particularly in women.
• Lightheadedness or dizziness: A sensation of potential fainting, with or without chest discomfort.
• Unexplained fatigue: Profound and sudden fatigue or weakness unrelated to physical exertion.
• Anxiety: A sense of impending doom or extreme anxiety.

In the face of these warning signs, seeking immediate medical attention is paramount. By understanding the significance of aspirin and recognizing the signs of a heart attack, we can take proactive steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this deadly threat.