A heart attack results from the complete blockage of a coronary artery. Starved of vital blood and oxygen, the muscle stops working and dies.

Signs to Watch Out For
Here are the most common signs of an impending heart attack:

• Chest Discomfort. Most heart attacks involve chest discomfort that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. This discomfort can be mild or painful, and may feel like burning, squeezing, tightness, heaviness or pressure. Women experiencing a heart attack sometimes describe a more vague feeling of discomfort or tightness in the chest area.
• Discomfort in other upper body areas. This may include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Laboured breathing. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing may signal an impending heart attack, particularly if accompanied by upper body discomfort.
• Nausea, light-headedness, breaking out in a cold sweat. Dizziness and nausea can signal a heart attack when there is no obvious cause for these symptoms.

Many people dismiss the symptoms of a heart attack as indigestion or “just one of those things.” If you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately take action. A heart attack is a life-or-death situation and no one will rebuke you for a false alarm.

What You Should Do

• Immediately call 911. If someone is with you, ask that they make this call
• Stop all activity and sit or lie down in the position most comfortable for you. If you have been prescribed nitroglycerin, take your recommended dose.
• If you are experiencing chest pain, chew and swallow one adult (325 mg) ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) tablet or two 81 mg tablets. (Studies show that taking ASA as soon as a heart attack is suspected may reduce the risk of death or complications from the heart attack. Do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as these will not achieve the same effect.)
• Rest comfortably and wait for emergency medical services to arrive. Breathe as normally as you can and try to remain calm.

ASA Preventative Therapy
(Without the Discomfort)
In recent years, ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) has taken a giant leap in status, from everyday pain killer to scientific wonder-drug. While research into the multiple benefits of ASA is far from complete, clinical evidence strongly supports the belief of many researchers that ASA, taken over the long-term, can help prevent heart attacks.

If your doctor has suggested ASA therapy for you, you will likely be taking ASA every day or every second day. Since the ongoing presence of ASA can irritate the stomach, you may experience stomach discomfort as a side effect of this therapy.

Entrophen® ASA Preventative Therapy, available from London Drugs, has been formulated to help prevent stomach discomfort. The 325 mg caplets and tablets are specially coated so that they dissolve in the intestine instead of the stomach. (No discomfort is felt in the intestine.)

If you are not currently on ASA therapy, and think you may benefit from it, you should check first with your family physician.

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