It is true that chest pain should not be ignored, but it is also true that it can be caused by factors that are in reality not life-threatening

CARDIOPROTECTION AND CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION? VISIT THE EMD112 BOOTH AT EMERGENCY EXPO NOW TO LEARN MORE

So, when chest pain strikes, how do you know if you should go to the emergency room?

The truth is that there are no hard and fast rules.

In fact, up to 30% of heart attacks have symptoms that in reality go unnoticed by the patient.

This makes it virtually impossible to establish a solid set of guidelines.

So, if in doubt, go straight to the emergency room.

RESCUE RADIO IN THE WORLD? VISIT THE EMS RADIO BOOTH AT EMERGENCY EXPO

However, to provide some instances where it is not necessary, here is a quick list of times when questioning the next steps is a bad idea:

• You are 40 or older and have one or more risk factors for CAD (family history, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high cholesterol, diabetes).
• You are of any age and have a strong family history of early heart disease.
• Pain can best be described by the terms ‘tightness’, ‘compression’, ‘heaviness’ or ‘squeezing’.
• The pain is accompanied by weakness, nausea, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness or fainting.
• The pain ‘radiates’ to the shoulders, arms or jaw.
• The pain is stronger than previously experienced.
• The pain is accompanied by a sense of alarm or a feeling that something is terribly wrong (doctors often call this a ‘sense of impending doom’).
• The pain worsens continuously during the first 10 or 15 minutes.
• The pain is new: you have never experienced anything like it before.

The most important thing is to remember that when you decide to seek emergency medical attention for chest pain, you should go to the emergency room.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING IN RESCUE: VISIT THE SQUICCIARINI RESCUE BOOTH AND FIND OUT HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY

Read Also

Emergency Live Even More…Live: Download The New Free App Of Your Newspaper For IOS And Android

Left Arm Pain, When To Worry?

Precordial Chest Punch: Meaning, When To Do It, Guidelines

Chest Trauma: Traumatic Rupture Of The Diaphragm And Traumatic Asphyxia (Crushing)

Emergencies, How To Prepare Your First Aid Kit

Chest Pain: Possible Causes

Chest Pain, Emergency Patient Management

Quick And Dirty Guide To Chest Trauma

Ambu Bag, Salvation For Patients With Lack Of Breathing

Blind Insertion Airway Devices (BIAD’s)

UK / Emergency Room, Paediatric Intubation: The Procedure With A Child In Serious Condition

How Long Does Brain Activity Last After Cardiac Arrest?

Quick And Dirty Guide To Chest Trauma

Cardiac Arrest: Why Is Airway Management Important During CPR?

Neurogenic Shock: What It Is, How To Diagnose It And How To Treat The Patient

Abdominal Pain Emergencies: How US Rescuers Intervene

Ukraine: ‘This Is How To Provide First Aid To A Person Injured By Firearms’

Ukraine, Health Ministry Disseminates Information On How To Provide First Aid In Case Of Phosphorus Burns

6 Facts About Burn Care That Trauma Nurses Should Know

Blast Injuries: How To Intervene On The Patient’s Trauma

What Should Be In A Paediatric First Aid Kit

Ukraine Under Attack, Ministry Of Health Advises Citizens About First Aid For Thermal Burn

Electric Shock First Aid And Treatment

RICE Treatment For Soft Tissue Injuries

How To Carry Out Primary Survey Using The DRABC In First Aid

Heimlich Maneuver: Find Out What It Is And How To Do It

The Patient Complains Of Blurred Vision: What Pathologies Can Be Associated With It?

A Tourniquet Is One Of The Most Important Pieces Of Medical Equipment In Your First Aid Kit

12 Essential Items To Have In Your DIY First Aid Kit

First Aid For Burns: Classification And Treatment

Ukraine, Health Ministry Disseminates Information On How To Provide First Aid In Case Of Phosphorus Burns

Compensated, Decompensated And Irreversible Shock: What They Are And What They Determine

Burns, First Aid: How To Intervene, What To Do

First Aid, Treatment For Burns And Scalds

Wound Infections: What Causes Them, What Diseases They Are Associated With

Patrick Hardison, The Story Of A Transplanted Face On A Firefighter With Burns

Eye Burns: What They Are, How To Treat Them

Burn Blister: What To Do And What Not To Do

Ukraine: ‘This Is How To Provide First Aid To A Person Injured By Firearms’

Emergency Burn Treatment: Rescuing A Burn Patient

Hypothermia Emergencies: How To Intervene On The Patient

Emergencies, How To Prepare Your First Aid Kit

Seizures In The Neonate: An Emergency That Needs To Be Addressed

Epileptic Aura: The Phase Before A Seizure

Seizures In Children: Types, Causes And Treatments Of Seizures

Spinal Immobilisation Of The Patient: When Should The Spine Board Be Put Aside?

First Aid And Medical Intervention In Epileptic Seizures: Convulsive Emergencies

Airway Management After A Road Accident: An Overview

Ambulance: Common Causes Of EMS Equipment Failures — And How To Avoid Them

Traumatic Injury Emergencies: What Protocol For Trauma Treatment?

World Rescue Challenge, Extrication Challenge For Teams. Life-Saving Spinal Boards And Cervical Collars

Difference Between AMBU Balloon And Breathing Ball Emergency: Advantages And Disadvantages Of Two Essential Devices

Cervical Collar In Trauma Patients In Emergency Medicine: When To Use It, Why It Is Important

Head Trauma, Brain Damage And Football: In Scotland Stop The Day Before And The Day After For Professionals

What Is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

Pathophysiology Of Thoracic Trauma: Injuries To The Heart, Great Vessels And Diaphragm

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Manoeuvres: Management Of The LUCAS Chest Compressor

Chest Trauma: Clinical Aspects, Therapy, Airway And Ventilatory Assistance

First Aid, When Is It An Emergency? Some Information For Citizens

Source

Beaumont Emergency Hospital