Chest Pain First Aid: What to Do and What Not to Do

Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack. It’s important to know what to do if you or someone else experiences this symptom. This blog post explains the basics of chest pain first aid, and what actions to take.

What Is Chest Pain?

Chest pain is a sensation of discomfort in the chest. It can be sharp, dull, burning, or aching. It can be felt in the center of the chest, on the left or right side, or in the upper abdomen. Chest pain can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain in the arms, neck, back, or jaw; shortness of breath; dizziness; sweating; and nausea.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), if you experience chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes, you should get medical help immediately. This is especially true if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as those mentioned above. If you think it may be a heart attack, call emergency services.

What Should You Do?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following steps for chest pain first aid:

• Stay calm and call for help.
• If the person can take medications, have them take an aspirin (unless they are allergic) and chew it.
• If the person is unconscious or not breathing, begin CPR and use an AED, if available.
• If the person is conscious, have them sit or lie down in an upright position, and keep them warm with a blanket.
• Monitor their vital signs and record the time the chest pain began.

What Should You Not Do?

• Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.
• Do not administer any kind of medication (aspirin or otherwise).
• Do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger.

Chest pain can be a symptom of a heart attack, so it’s important to know how to respond if you or someone else experiences this symptom. If the chest pain lasts for more than a few minutes, call for medical help immediately. In the meantime, the CDC recommends staying calm, calling for help, having the person sit or lie down in an upright position, and keeping them warm with a blanket. Aspirin can be given if the person is conscious, but do not give them anything to eat or drink.

By following these steps, you can give the person the best chance of getting the help they need.

Ref Link

https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2021/10/27/14/06/2021-guideline-for-chest-pain-gl_chestpain

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-that-pain-in-your-chest-heartburn-or-a-heart-attack/