Heart Attack Survival Steps

WHAT TO DO IF YOU MIGHT BE HAVING A HEART ATTACK

Nobody plans to have a heart attack. But just as many people have a plan to follow in case of fire, it is a good idea to have a plan to deal with a possible heart attack. Knowing what to do can save your life. Fill out this form and make several copies of it. Keep one copy near a phone at home, another at work, and a third copy in your purse.

WHAT TO DO AHEAD OF TIME

1. Discuss heart attack symptoms and what you plan to do in case of a heart attack with your doctor, family, coworkers, and friends. Tell others how they can help you if you have symptoms (for example, help you with your medication or call 9-1-1 for you).

Medication _______________ How much/how often? _____________

Medication _______________ How much/how often? _____________

Medication _______________ How much/how often? _____________

Medication _______________ How much/how often? _____________

3. Know the location of the nearest 24-hour emergency department.

* At home, the closest emergency department is ____________________

* At work, the closest emergency department is ____________________

4. Know who should be notified in case of emergency.

Notify ________________ at these phone numbers:

Home _______________ Office __________________

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS

1. What you may feel: Chest pain or discomfort, left arm pain, pain radiating to your neck or jaw, sweating, shortness of breath, upset stomach, tiredness.

2. Take medication right away.

* Chew one adult-strength (325 mg) tablet of uncoated aspirin.

* If you have been prescribed nitroglycerin, place one tablet under your tongue immediately. Take a second tablet if the discomfort doesn't stop in 5 minutes. Take a third tablet after 5 more minutes if the discomfort still hasn't gone away. If the symptoms do stop, call your doctor at this phone number: _______________

3. Call for emergency transportation if symptoms continue for more than 15 minutes.

* At home, the emergency phone number is ____________________

* At work, the emergency phone number is ____________________