Today, cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Studies show that 32 percent of all deaths in the world are caused by cardiovascular diseases. Of these deaths, 85 percent are due to heart attacks and strokes. This situation once again demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis and precautions in the fight against cardiovascular diseases. Stating that it is vital to recognize chest pain, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarper Yılmaz gave information about the interventions that should be done in chest pain.
The main behavioral risk factors for heart disease and stroke include unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. While these habits are becoming more common day by day, their negative effects on heart health are also increasing. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important steps that can be taken to prevent these risks. Stating that recognizing chest pain, which is one of the early signs of cardiovascular diseases, plays a critical role in the prevention and rapid intervention of heart attack, Medicana Zincirlikuyu Hospital Emergency Medicine Specialist Assoc. Dr. Sarper Yılmaz said, “Recognizing chest pain and taking the necessary steps quickly can be life-saving in the event of a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, raising awareness about chest pain and heart diseases in the society will be an important step for a healthy future.”
Chest pain can be a sudden and alarming condition in daily life for many people. Managing chest pain correctly, which is a critical symptom especially for heart health, is of great importance in terms of protecting one's health. There are simple but effective steps that individuals with chest pain can take without panicking. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarper Yılmaz listed the 4 vital steps to manage chest pain as follows:
Rest immediately when chest pain is felt
“If chest pain starts suddenly during the day, you should immediately stop what you are doing and rest. Resting reduces the amount of oxygen the heart needs and prevents the heart muscle from contracting more and using up energy. Especially in the event of a heart attack, rest can prevent the situation from worsening.”
The nearest person should be informed about the situation
“If someone is nearby when chest pain occurs, they should be informed about the situation. This is an important step to ensure support in an emergency. Especially if there is a loss of consciousness during a heart attack, it is vital that bystanders quickly call 112. Heart attack and cardiac arrest are often confused terms. Therefore, expressing the situation correctly can make a big difference.”
Routine medications should be taken immediately
“If there is known heart disease and routine medication is being taken, it is important to keep these close by. Take a dose of the medication immediately and wait for five minutes. If the current symptoms persist, another dose can be taken.”
Stay calm and contact 112
“If the complaints persist or increase in severity within 10 minutes after taking the medication, the 112 emergency call center should be reached quickly. It is necessary to clearly explain the location and situation to the paramedic. Until the teams arrive at the scene, 300 mg aspirin can be chewed, if available. It is important to try to stay calm and wait for help to arrive.”
“Taking the right steps when experiencing chest pain and cooperating with emergency medical teams will quickly identify the cause of the problem and get you back to health as soon as possible. Following the steps without panicking is the most rational strategy.”
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