{"id":1579,"date":"2025-10-21T11:49:42","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T11:49:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/influence360training.co.uk\/?p=1579"},"modified":"2025-10-21T11:57:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T11:57:10","slug":"1579","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/influence360training.co.uk\/index.php\/2025\/10\/21\/1579\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Know the Signs of a Heart Attack?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">According to BUPA UK, <strong>175,000 heart attacks<\/strong> occur in the UK every year, so it\u2019s no surprise that a heart attack (myocardial infarction) is one of the leading causes of death.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On average, <strong>men suffer more heart attacks than women<\/strong>, and there can be <strong>gender differences in symptoms<\/strong> too. But what are the signs of a heart attack? And what should you do when someone is having one?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Signs of a Heart Attack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the main sign of a heart attack?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people say <strong>chest pain<\/strong>\u2014and you\u2019re not entirely wrong, but you\u2019re not 100% right either. There can be <strong>no chest pain<\/strong> (a \u201csilent\u201d heart attack).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key thing to listen for is someone saying their chest <strong>\u201cfeels heavy\u201d<\/strong> or <strong>\u201clike someone is sitting on my chest\u201d<\/strong>\u2014making it hard to take a breath. It\u2019s often <strong>pressure\/heaviness<\/strong>, not sharp pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Back Pain and Heart Attacks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When delivering First Aid courses, many people who\u2019ve helped someone during a heart attack mention <strong>back pain<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is worrying because lots of people\u2014especially in care roles\u2014already have back problems, which can <strong>mask<\/strong> the seriousness of symptoms. <strong>Every second counts<\/strong> in a heart attack, so <strong>don\u2019t delay<\/strong> calling 999 because you\u2019ve mistaken it for ordinary back pain. This delay happens more often than you\u2019d think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you spot <strong>any other signs<\/strong> alongside back pain, <strong>call 999 immediately<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Typical signs include changes caused by <strong>shock (cardiogenic)<\/strong> and <strong>lack of oxygen (cyanosis)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pale, cold skin<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bluish lips<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Differences Between Men and Women<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although men and women can show the same symptoms, several nurses report the following pattern in women:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <strong>dull pain in the arm<\/strong> that <strong>spreads across the shoulders, neck, and jawline<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pain may be <strong>less intense<\/strong>, so it\u2019s easier to <strong>miss or ignore<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a colleague or family member feels unwell, looks <strong>pale and sweaty<\/strong>, and has <strong>upper-body pain<\/strong>, <strong>call for advice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Angina Attacks vs Heart Attacks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Angina<\/strong> often isn\u2019t a medical emergency, but the <strong>symptoms can be identical<\/strong> to a heart attack (heaviness on the chest; pain in arms, shoulders, neck, jaw).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can you tell the difference?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Angina<\/strong> usually <strong>calms down naturally<\/strong> (about <strong>10 minutes<\/strong>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Heart attacks<\/strong> tend to <strong>start suddenly<\/strong> without warning and <strong>don\u2019t ease<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Common triggers for angina<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exercise \/ anything that raises breathing rate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Long walks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carrying heavy objects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Use common sense and ask questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201c<strong>What happened?<\/strong>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201c<strong>Do you take any medication?<\/strong>\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If it came on after exertion and they have <strong>angina medication (spray or tablet)<\/strong>, they may already have an angina diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Angina Medication (GTN)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GTN<\/strong> acts fast\u2014sometimes within <strong>1\u20132 minutes<\/strong>\u2014but will have <strong>virtually no impact<\/strong> during a heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On First Aid courses we advise: <strong>call 999<\/strong> if <strong>after the second GTN spray<\/strong> there\u2019s <strong>no improvement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because heart attack and angina can <strong>look the same<\/strong>, let common sense prevail and <strong>call 999 or 111<\/strong> for help and advice. If their medication <strong>isn\u2019t helping<\/strong>, <strong>don\u2019t hesitate<\/strong> to make the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What About Aspirin?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In general, <strong>aspirin can be worth giving<\/strong> if a heart attack is suspected because it <strong>thins the blood<\/strong>, helping to thin the <strong>clot<\/strong> causing the attack. <strong>Dispersible aspirin<\/strong> is best as it enters the bloodstream faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Important:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aspirin will not stop<\/strong> a heart attack.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get permission<\/strong> from the <strong>ambulance controller<\/strong> (calls are recorded).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get the casualty\u2019s consent<\/strong> before they take aspirin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Typical first-aid advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Give<\/strong> the aspirin <strong>to the casualty<\/strong> and let <strong>them take it themselves<\/strong> (first aiders don\u2019t dispense).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourage them to place a <strong>~300 mg<\/strong> tablet <strong>under the tongue<\/strong> and <strong>not chew<\/strong> it; let saliva break it down.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">To Summarise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Every second counts.<\/strong> If you\u2019re in <strong>any doubt<\/strong>, <strong>call 999 immediately<\/strong>\u2014better safe than sorry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn to spot <strong>less obvious signs<\/strong> (back pain, pallor, cyanosis, sweating, upper-body discomfort\u2014especially in women).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>GTN<\/strong> helping quickly suggests angina; <strong>no improvement<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>call 999<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aspirin<\/strong> may help (with consent and controller approval), but it <strong>doesn\u2019t stop<\/strong> a heart attack.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If any of this surprised you, it\u2019s worth checking how many <strong>first aid myths<\/strong> you might still believe\u2014and getting trained to respond confidently.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to BUPA UK, 175,000 heart attacks occur in the UK every year, so it\u2019s no surprise that a heart attack (myocardial infarction) is one of the leading causes of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Do You Know the Signs of a Heart Attack? 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