[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/02\/how-to-survive-heart-attack-alone\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/02\/how-to-survive-heart-attack-alone\/","headline":"How to Survive a Heart Attack While You are Alone","name":"How to Survive a Heart Attack While You are Alone","description":"Very few things are scarier than the\u00a0thought of having a heart attack, especially having one while all alone. Once\u00a0symptoms\u00a0start, problems can progress rapidly, and you need to react quickly. Being prepared can be the difference between life and death. Christopher B. Haas, DO, an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Heart and Vascular Institute […]","datePublished":"2014-02-28","dateModified":"2024-01-25","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/survive-heart-attack-alone.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/survive-heart-attack-alone.jpg","height":410,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/02\/how-to-survive-heart-attack-alone\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":419,"keywords":["aspirin","chest pain","dizziness","heart attack","heart attack symptoms","heart disease","nausea","relax","UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute"],"articleBody":"Very few things are scarier than the\u00a0thought of having a heart attack, especially having one while all alone. Once\u00a0symptoms\u00a0start, problems can progress rapidly, and you need to react quickly. Being prepared can be the difference between life and death.Christopher B. Haas, DO, an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Western Maryland, has some tips to improve your odds of surviving a heart attack while alone.Know the Symptoms of a Heart Attack\u201cKnowing the\u00a0warning signs\u00a0is crucial,” says Dr. Haas. \u201cEarly treatment, especially within the first 90 minutes of the start of symptoms,\u00a0can reduce the damage done to the heart and save your life.”Chest pain\/pressure\/discomfort lasting a few minutes or more is the main symptom of a heart attack. It is important to point out that although chest pain\/pressure\/discomfort is an important symptom for women to recognize, they are less likely than men to feel this, and often only have some of the other symptoms listed below (men may also have these as well):Shortness of breath.Nausea.Vomiting.Sudden profuse sweating.Dizziness.Extreme weakness.AnxietyActions You Can Take During a Heart AttackCall 911 immediately. If you are driving, pull over. \u00a0You can lose consciousness very quickly. Even if a hospital is nearby, do not drive yourself.Take an aspirin. \u00a0Chewing a 325 mg aspirin (or four 81 mg aspirins) can help reduce the risk of serious complications of a heart attack. You should do this only if you have the classic heart attack symptom of chest pain\/discomfort\/pressure, with or without the above symptoms. If you have only the other symptoms listed above, wait for the ambulance to arrive and emergency medical services will decide if aspirin is appropriate.Take Nitroglycerin. \u00a0Only if you have a prescription for it, and use it as directed by your doctor, keeping in mind any medicines you may have taken recently that can cause severe reactions with Nitroglycerin. Again, consult your doctor at the time they give you this prescription regarding its proper use.Sit or lie down to rest and wait for the ambulance. \u00a0Stay as calm as possible as anxiety will increase your adrenaline, and that can worsen the heart attack.If you think you may have heart disease, consult your primary care physician or\u00a0visit the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute\u00a0website.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 28, 2014, and was last reviewed on January 25, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Survive a Heart Attack While You are Alone","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/02\/how-to-survive-heart-attack-alone\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]