by Dossie M Terrell

Created on: June 24, 2009   Last Updated: May 13, 2012

Heart attacks or myocardial infractions are depressing facts of life, but that does not mean they should be allowed to end your life or severely damage it in such a way as to diminish your style of living. There are many who survive heart attacks because they recognize the signs and get urgent medical help. If you are female, it is important to seek immediate assistance and do not ignore any of the signs below as myocardial infractions are a leading cause of death among women:

* Excessive sweating or feeling clammy
* Great attempts to breathe especially upon awakening
* Sped up heart palpitations or fluttering
* Extreme paleness or blueness on the lips
* Abrupt bouts of dizziness and faintness
* Extreme feeling of negativism and doom
* Fainting without warning Severe feelings of discomfort similar to indigestion, which might manifest in an upset stomach

* Vice-like chest pains that may extend to the jaws and down the arms; often the pain will not ease up even when resting

* Edema, which may manifest as a heaviness in the legs

Please review the following for additional information regarding heart attacks in women and the major difference between symptoms in women and in men. http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/healthmedical/a/womens ami.htm
http://www.allegromedical.com/blog/heart-attack-stro ke-warning-signs-men-vs-women-510.html

Recent documented evidence revealed that if you experience an inability to breathe, and you are alone; continue coughing vigorous as you dial 911. This acts as a stabilizer until help arrives.

If you are with someone who experiences any of the symptoms above, ensure that you put them at ease and then dial 911 for medical assistance. If they become unconscious, check their breathing by opening the airway. If you know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR, perform this process until emergency assistance arrives.

If the victim is conscious, have him or her sit up in a half-sitting position, your aim will be to make him or her comfortable and at ease as this will ensure there is less strain on the heart. The victim's head and shoulders should be supported and the knees should be bent.

Once the victim is as comfortable as you can make him or her, call 911 and provide the emergency team with as much information as you possibly can. Perhaps, you might also call the victim's own physician if asked.

There is much debate over having an aspirin regiment, but there is document evidence that a full dosage, or 325mg, helps during a heart attack and if available, it should be chewed slowly.

If the victim is taking medications for angina, give it to them. Medications may be in the form of tablets or a pump-action or aerosol. It is important to keep the victim quiet, calm and comfortable and while waiting for emergency assistance, do not attempt to engage the victim in stimulating conversation.

You should continually check their pulse rates, their response to you and any stimuli, and whether breathing is normal or close to normal until help arrives.

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