They suddenly clutch their chest. Their face twists in pain. They're sweating heavily despite sitting still. They look terrified. "Something's wrong," they say. "My chest... it hurts." This could be a heart attack. And what you do in the next few minutes could determine whether they live or die.
🚨 Recognize a Heart Attack
Know the Warning Signs
A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle gets blocked. Without oxygen, heart muscle begins to die. The window for saving heart muscle is narrow: ideally within 90 minutes of symptom onset.
Classic Heart Attack Symptoms:
- Heavy pressure, squeezing, or crushing chest pain - feels like an elephant sitting on the chest
- Pain spreading to arms, jaw, neck, or back - left arm pain is very common
- Shortness of breath - with or without chest pain
- Cold sweat - breaking out in heavy perspiration suddenly
- Nausea or vomiting
- Extreme fatigue or sudden weakness
- Feeling of impending doom - sense that something terrible is happening
Heart Attacks in Women:
Women often have different symptoms. They're more likely to experience back pain, neck pain, jaw pain, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue instead of obvious chest pain.
Critical truth: Time is muscle. Every minute that passes during a heart attack, more heart muscle dies. The faster you act, the better their chance of survival and full recovery.
🆘 Immediate Actions
What to Do Right Now
Your immediate response can save a life and prevent permanent heart damage.
Step 1: Call Emergency Services (193 in Ghana)
Call first, act second. Do NOT wait to see if it gets better. Do NOT drive them to the hospital yourself. Call 193 immediately or have someone else call while you help the person.
Step 2: Help Them Rest Comfortably
Have them sit down immediately. Support their back against a wall, chair, or pillows. Keep them calm and still. Semi-upright position helps breathing. Loosen any tight clothing.
Step 3: Give Aspirin (If Available)
If conscious, not allergic, and not on blood thinners: Give 300mg of aspirin (one adult tablet). Have them CHEW it rather than swallow whole. Chewing gets it into the bloodstream faster to help prevent the blood clot from growing.
When in doubt, always assume it's a heart attack and seek emergency help. Better to be wrong than to wait too long. Heart attacks kill quickly.
👁️ Monitor and Prepare
Constant Vigilance Saves Lives
Stay with the person and monitor them constantly until help arrives.
Watch For Changes:
- Are they breathing normally?
- Are they still conscious and responsive?
- Is the pain getting worse or better?
- Are they becoming drowsy or confused?
- Note the time symptoms started (important for doctors)
Stay Calm and Reassure:
Keep talking to them calmly. Reassure them help is coming. Don't let them exert themselves. Hold their hand. Don't leave them alone.
Be Prepared for Cardiac Arrest:
They might suddenly stop breathing or lose consciousness. Be ready to start CPR immediately if needed.
Gather important information for emergency responders: list of medications, known medical conditions, allergies, and recent symptoms.
💓 If They Become Unconscious
CPR Can Save Their Life
If they lose consciousness and stop breathing normally, start CPR immediately.
CPR Steps:
- Call 193 again if not already done
- Place them flat on their back on a firm surface
- Kneel beside their chest
- Place heel of one hand on center of chest (between nipples)
- Push hard and fast: 5cm (2 inches) deep
- Push at 100-120 compressions per minute
- Allow chest to return fully between compressions
- Continue without stopping until help arrives
Hands-Only CPR Works:
You don't need to give rescue breaths if you're not trained. Chest compressions alone save lives. Don't stop CPR until emergency help arrives, the person starts breathing normally, or you're physically unable to continue.
The beat of "Staying Alive" is the perfect rhythm for CPR compressions - 100-120 beats per minute.
⚠️ What NOT to Do
Avoid These Dangerous Mistakes
Some actions can make the situation worse or waste precious time:
Never Do These:
- Don't give them food or water - they might need emergency surgery
- Don't let them smoke - makes the heart attack worse
- Don't leave them alone - they could die within minutes
- Don't let them convince you it's "nothing" - trust your instincts
- Don't drive them to the hospital yourself - ambulances have life-saving equipment
- Don't waste time looking for medications first - call 193 first
Many heart attack victims deny what's happening. Don't let their denial delay emergency care. Your quick action could save their life.
🌍 Heart Attacks in Ghana
Local Context and Risk Factors
Heart attacks are becoming increasingly common in Ghana due to changing lifestyles and health patterns.
Ghana-Specific Risk Factors:
- Increasing rates of diabetes and hypertension
- Diet changes (more processed foods, less vegetables)
- Sedentary lifestyles in urban areas
- High stress levels
- Limited access to preventive healthcare
- Smoking and excessive alcohol use
Higher Risk Groups:
- Men over 45 years, women over 55 years
- People with high blood pressure or diabetes
- Those with family history of heart disease
- Smokers and people with obesity
- Those with poor diet and lack of exercise
Every year, thousands of Ghanaians die from heart attacks, many because help arrived too late or warning signs were ignored.
💊 Special Medications
Nitroglycerin and Other Heart Medications
Some people with known heart disease carry specific emergency medications.
Nitroglycerin (GTN):
If the person has prescribed nitroglycerin: Help them take it as prescribed (usually under the tongue). They can take up to 3 doses, 5 minutes apart. Call 193 after the first dose - don't wait to see if it works. Have them sit or lie down before taking it.
Important Safety Notes:
Only use their own prescribed medication. Don't give someone else's nitroglycerin. If unsure about medications, focus on calling emergency services and giving aspirin if appropriate.
Nitroglycerin can cause dizziness. Always have the person sitting or lying down before administering it.
💫 Your Action Plan Summary
Quick Reference Guide
Remember these life-saving steps during a heart attack emergency:
The 6 Critical Steps:
- Call 193 immediately - don't delay, don't wait
- Help them sit and rest comfortably
- Give aspirin (300mg chewed) if no allergies
- Stay with them and monitor constantly
- Be ready to do CPR if they collapse
- Never leave them alone until help arrives
Key Recognition Points:
- Chest pressure, tightness, or pain lasting more than a few minutes
- Pain spreading to arms, jaw, neck, or back
- Shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea
- Women may have different symptoms
- When in doubt, assume heart attack and act
Heart disease is killing more Ghanaians every year. But heart attacks are treatable if caught early. Your quick action, your knowledge, your willingness to call for help immediately can mean the difference between life and death.
Don't hesitate. Don't wait. Don't hope it goes away. When you suspect a heart attack, call 193 immediately. Time is muscle - every minute counts. You could save a life.