Module
Heart Attack & Stroke
Heart attack signs
- Crushing or burning pain BEHIND the sternum
- Radiating to neck, left and/or right arm, upper abdomen
- Lasting at least 15 minutes
- NOT affected by breathing, movement, position, or pressure
- Pale, sweaty skin
- Anxious appearance, restlessness, possible nausea
- Worst case → sudden cardiac arrest
Heart attack first aid
- VODDO
- Persistent typical pain that doesn't ease → call 112
- Ask for AED — risk of cardiac arrest
- Rest in a semi-sitting or sitting position
- Aspirin (chewable) IF the patient has it AND is not allergic AND not asthmatic AND no GI bleeding
- Note time of pain onset
- Stay with patient until EMS arrives
- NEVER drive them yourself
- SAMPLE
Stroke — GROM acronym
- G — Govor (Speech): can they speak normally? Repeat a short sentence?
- R — Roka (Arm): close eyes, raise both arms, hold — does one drop?
- O — Obraz (Face): smile, show teeth — symmetric? Drooping mouth corner?
- M — Minuta (Minute): minutes count. Even ONE positive sign → call 112.
Stroke other signs
- Visual disturbance, double vision, field loss
- Swallowing problems
- Sudden severe headache
- Nausea, vomiting
- Balance problems
- Bowel/bladder incontinence
- Confusion, decreased consciousness
- Eyes deviated to one side
Stroke first aid
- VODDO
- Call 112 IMMEDIATELY — therapy windows are tight
- Conscious: lying with slightly elevated head
- Vomiting: lateral position, maintain airway
- Unconscious + breathing: recovery position
- Continuous monitoring
- NO food, drink, medications
- WRITE DOWN time of symptom onset
- SAMPLE