What Should You Do During a Medical Emergency?

Medical emergencies can happen at home, at work or while travelling. Knowing how to respond during the first few minutes can help protect a person’s life and reduce the risk of serious complications.

Below, Dr. Kamalakar Kosaraju, Interventional Cardiologist at Kamalakar Heart Centre, explains the essential steps to follow during a medical emergency — especially when someone may be experiencing a heart attack.

Recognise the Warning Signs

A heart attack does not always begin with severe pain. Possible warning signs include:

• Chest pain, pressure, tightness or heaviness
• Pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sudden weakness, dizziness or fainting
• Unusual tiredness or discomfort

Do not wait for the symptoms to become severe. Call emergency services immediately. In India, you can dial 112 for medical and other emergency assistance, or 108 for an ambulance. For a fuller list, see our guide to the 7 warning signs of a heart attack.

Stay Calm and Call for Help

Help the person sit or lie down in a safe and comfortable position. Loosen tight clothing and ask someone to call an ambulance.

Do not allow the person to walk around or drive themselves to the hospital. Emergency medical teams can begin assessment and treatment while transporting the patient.

Can Aspirin Be Taken During a Suspected Heart Attack?

Aspirin, commonly available under brands such as Ecosprin, may be recommended for an alert adult experiencing suspected heart attack symptoms.

After calling emergency services, an adult may be advised to chew and swallow 162 to 325 mg of aspirin, provided that the person:

• Is conscious and able to swallow
• Is not allergic to aspirin
• Does not have active bleeding
• Has not been advised by a doctor to avoid aspirin

Do not take aspirin and wait for the pain to improve. Calling emergency services must always be the first step.

Important Guidance About Clopidogrel

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medicine that may be used during the medical treatment of a heart attack. A doctor may prescribe a higher loading dose such as 300 mg or 600 mg in specific situations.

However, clopidogrel is a prescription medicine and can increase the risk of bleeding. Do not take 300 mg, 350 mg or any additional dose of clopidogrel without direct instructions from a doctor or emergency medical professional.

Patients who already take clopidogrel regularly should not change their dose unless instructed by their cardiologist.

Using Isosorbide Dinitrate for Chest Pain

Isosorbide dinitrate may be prescribed to some patients for angina or heart-related chest pain. It should be used during an emergency only if it has already been prescribed to that patient.

A prescribed sublingual tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. It should not be chewed, crushed or swallowed immediately.

Do not take extra tablets or repeat the dose beyond the instructions given by your doctor. Nitrate medicines can lower blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting. They can also cause a dangerous fall in blood pressure when combined with medicines such as sildenafil, vardenafil or tadalafil.

What Should You Do If You Feel Like Fainting?

If you feel dizzy or think you may fall:

• Sit or lie down immediately
• Call out for help
• Avoid standing or walking
• Ask someone to contact emergency services
• Keep your phone nearby if you are alone

Do not rely on repeated forceful coughing to prevent a heart attack or cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association does not recommend “cough CPR” for the public and states that it is ineffective as a substitute for emergency treatment.

When Should CPR Be Started?

CPR is required when a person:

• Becomes unresponsive
• Is not breathing normally
• Has no obvious signs of circulation

Call emergency services and ask someone to bring an automated external defibrillator, or AED, if one is available.

Place the person on their back on a firm surface. Put both hands in the centre of the chest and begin strong, continuous chest compressions at a rate of approximately 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

Continue CPR until the person begins breathing normally or trained medical professionals arrive. Immediate CPR can significantly improve the chance of survival after cardiac arrest.

Timely Action Can Save a Life

During a suspected heart attack, do not delay medical attention while trying home remedies or taking multiple medicines. Call emergency services, keep the patient calm and follow the instructions provided by the emergency medical team.

Medicines such as aspirin, clopidogrel and isosorbide dinitrate must be used carefully. The correct medicine and dose depend on the patient’s symptoms, blood pressure, medical history, allergies and current medications.

Dr. Kamalakar Kosaraju advises people to recognise emergency warning signs and seek immediate medical care. Knowledge, calm thinking and timely action can make all the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first thing to do if someone has a heart attack?

Call emergency services first — dial 112 or 108 for an ambulance. Then help the person sit or lie down comfortably, loosen tight clothing, and stay with them. Never let them walk around or drive themselves to hospital.

How much aspirin should be taken during a heart attack?

For an alert adult with no allergy, no active bleeding and no medical advice against it, 162 to 325 mg of aspirin chewed and swallowed may be advised — but only after emergency services have been called. Aspirin is never a substitute for emergency care.

Can I take clopidogrel on my own during a heart attack?

No. Clopidogrel is a prescription medicine that increases bleeding risk. A loading dose such as 300 mg or 600 mg should only be taken on the direct instruction of a doctor or emergency medical professional. If you already take it daily, do not change your dose on your own.

Does “cough CPR” work during a heart attack?

No. The American Heart Association does not recommend “cough CPR” for the public and states it is ineffective as a substitute for emergency treatment. Call emergency services instead, and begin chest compressions if the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally.

How fast should chest compressions be during CPR?

Approximately 100 to 120 compressions per minute, pushing strongly in the centre of the chest with the person lying on their back on a firm surface. Continue until the person breathes normally or trained medical professionals take over.