Heart Attacks Kill: How You Can Increase Your Survival

    I.     Introduction

In the United States one of the leading causes of death is a heart attack known as a ST- Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). A STEMI occurs when there is a blockage in the vessels that supply the heart blood. Once blocked, blood supply, oxygen and nutrients can no longer get to parts of the heart. This causes parts of the heart to start dying. If too much of the heart dies, then this causes the heart to stop pumping and therefore results in death. 

Once there is a large enough blockage the only aspect a person has control over is time. If a person waits too long to seek treatment then their mortality rate increases. 

According to the CDC every 40 seconds a person in the United States dies of a Heart attack. 

 II.        How can you increase your chances of survival?

The answer is education! 

Educating yourself and others. People need to be trained on:

·     How to call 911

·     What information you need to call 911 with

·     Symptoms

·     The urgency of calling for medical treatment

To reduce patient mortality rate, it is recommended to get to the hospital with in an hour of the start of symptoms. By shortening your time to treatment, you will drastically reduce mortality rate, and other complications. 

III. Education

                i.         Why is it important to seek medical treatment? 

STEMIs are very serious medical conditions, even when treated, mortality can still be high. The biggest impact on this mortality rate is seeking timely treatment. 

              ii.        Symptoms of a STEMI

The problem with STEMIs is that there are so many different symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms immediately call 911. Once paramedics are on scene they can confirm or rule out a STEMI will a noninvasive test called an EKG. 

            iii.         Calling 911

If you suspect you or a loved one is having a heart attack, it is important to call quickly. Before calling 911, gather your thoughts and information. It is important to call 911 the proper way, this way they get the proper information and proper unit dispatched to you.

             iv.        Pneumonic:

A way to help you remember the information needed to call 911:

S	ymptoms (What are the symptoms you or your loved one is experiencing)
T	ime (When did these symptoms start)
E	nvironment (Where are you, what is your address)
M	edications/ Medical history (Are you or your loved one take medications for cardiac related instances/ do you have a history of cardiac event)
I	mmediate (make the call ASAP)

IV.     Practical Applications

By using this information, any patient can understand the importance of getting early treatment. Mortality rate increases the longer there is a delay to treatment. If anyone exhibits symptoms, call 911 immediately. It is better to call and get checked out, then wait for symptoms to worsen. 

 V.        

ReResources:

·      https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks/acute-coronary-syndrome

·      https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@swa/documents/downloadable/ucm_318970.pdf

·      https://www.surefirecpr.com/say-call-911/

·      https://www.ecgmedicaltraining.com/what-is-a-stemi/

·      https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/why-stemi-heart-attacks-are-so-deadly

VI.        Author Bio 

Stephanie Gleason is a Student at Westfield State University, studying Movement Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine. She is a certified Emergency Medical Technique in the Greater Boston Area, and a CPR instructor through American Heart Association. 

VII.        References 

1.     American Heart Association (2015). Acute Coronary Syndrome. 

2.     Mesas, C., Rodrigues, R., Mesas. A., Feijó, V., Paraiso, L., Bragatto, G., Moron, V., Bergonso, M., Uemura, L. & Grion, C. (2018). Symptoms awareness, emergency medical service utilization and hospital transfer delay in myocardial infarction. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 1-8.

3.     Mehta, R., O'Shea, C., Stebbins, A., Granger, C., Armstrong, P., White, H., Topol, E., Califf, R. & Ohman, M. (2011). Association of mortality with years of education in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with fibrinolysis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 57(2), 138-46.

4.     Koul, S., Andell, P., Martinsson, A., Gustav Smith, J., Pals, J., Scherstén, F., Jernberg, T.,  Lagerqvist, B. & Erlinge, D. (2014). Delay from first medical contact to primary pci and all-cause mortality: A nationwide study of patients with st-elevation myocardial infarction. Journal of the American Heart Association, 3(2). 1-8.

5.     Terkelsen, C., Sørensen, J., Maeng, M., Jensen, L., Tilsted, H., Trautner, S., Vach, W., Johnsen, S., Thuesen, L. & Lassen, J. (2010). System Delay and Mortality Among Patients With STEMI Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. Journal of the American Medical Association, 304(7). 763- 771.