Heart Attacks & Angina

Angina is a heart condition caused by a narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. This is due to a build up of artherosclerosis in the artery walls. Symptoms may include central chest pain during exertion, which may radiate to arms, neck or jaw. There may be shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and cold, clammy skin which may go pale or cyanosed (blue) around the lips. If this is the first time the casualty has experienced symptoms you should call 999 and ask for an ambulance. If the casualty is known to suffer from angina they may be able to take their regular medicine which is often a spray or tablet called GTN (Glyceryl Trinitrate)

Heart Attacks are a 'plumbing problem' with the heart and occur due to a permanent or semi-permanent blockage of a coronary artery (an artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle). It may be caused by artherosclerosis (plaque) completely blocking an artery of the heart or by a clot becoming lodged in a narrowed part of an artery. The signs & symptoms may be a crushing pain or heavy pain in the chest (may start by feeling like indigestion), it may radiate into the neck/arm(s)/jaw, shortness of breath, nausea &/or vomiting, dizziness, cold sweaty appearance and more. For any of these symptoms, call 999 immediately, reassure the patient and gently sit them at rest, preferably near to fresh air. If you can, sit them on the floor with their knees raised and feet on the floor ('W' position) and keep them warm & comfortable.

Chest pains can be caused by many things including Angina, Heart Attacks, Indigestion, Pulled Muscle, Breathing Problems, Infections to the Lungs and air passages, Pericarditis

 and other medical issues. All chest pain should be assessed by a Health Care Practitioner to assess the likely cause and recommend suitable treatment.