Spotting the Signs Of A Heart Attack
According to a survey carried out by St John Ambulance many people who made new years resolutions have already given them up. So the charity has set up a new campaign aimed at trying to get people on board by having a “resolution rethink” – by making a new one they can keep, and that could help save a life.
- Sit the patient down with knees bent
- Call 999
- Offer them 300mg of aspirin to chew
Given that 92,000 people in the UK suffer heart attacks each year, and a third of those die as a result, this quick and easy resolution can make all the difference.
- Don’t always choose to stop something that’s bad in your life as a resolution, it’s often more satisfying to resolve to start something good instead
- Choose a resolution that is goal orientated and can be monitored regularly
- Resolutions which have some sort of responsibility outside of your own needs often feel more worthwhile and are therefore less likely to be broken.
- Keep expectations realistic – give yourself a target that you know to be manageable
- Resolving to do something together with a friend often helps us keep our resolutions
Sue Killen, CEO of St John Ambulance says: ‘It’s not too late to make a new resolution and to try something which is attainable – and potentially life saving. Help us reduce heart attack deaths by watching our quick steps on how to spot the signs, and learn how to treat a heart attack. Making a resolution this simple could enable you to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.’ If you would like more information visit www.sja.org.uk for more details.
