In Case of a Heart attack

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 00:16

There is a circular doing the rounds on the internet in Turkish saying that if somebody has a heart attack, the first thing to do is to bleed the tip of each finger of the hands to avoid brain damage. I can understand this in case of very high blood pressure but my understanding was that during a heart attack not enough blood may go to the brain, not the opposite. Any views on this?

ismet

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 00:22

new one on me........I work in a medical centre and I have never heard of this, that is not to say it isnt true, but....................I dont think this is advisable as if it was true it would be general knowledge surely??

littleme


Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 01:22

ok i know a bit about this i have had a heart attack & would just like to say that any chest pain should be checked at a hospital asap & do not ignore it. check http://www.nhsdirect.co.uk plenty of good information no need to play a guessing game with your life.

Mary

decanddyl


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 792

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 01:44

me also ---- but who knows could be a new technique.



I personally would need a lot more information believing this.



Have had a quick look on the internet and found nothing to back this up so far, if I do find any relevant information I will post the details on here.





Cathy

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 11:03

What if you wasn't sure that the person was having a Heart Attack?



I'd be uncomfortable about cutting the tips if someones fingers. What if you were in the street, how would you get a knife?

darrener2


Joined: 30/12/2008
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 11:19

This is another example of a useless and potentially dangerous piece of misinformation.

Exactly the same email was doing the rounds a few years ago - only that time it was recommending cutting/bleeding the finger tips in the case of a stroke.

D2

girne


Joined: 14/01/2009
Posts: 438

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 11:38

No1DOven,



this does not say to cut to tips of the fingers off but to maybe prick them t make them bleed.



Not sure though if this is true!!! just a load of b...

LaptaGeezer


Joined: 01/06/2010
Posts: 407

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 11:49

I really do not think that the minimal bleeding that would occur from pricking the end of each finger would have the slightest affect on the heart and/or the blood pressure. As someone said above.. if it were true then it would be common knowledge by now.

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 11:52

Not exactly cutt,ng but pricking the tips of the fingers with a needle.

I am looking forward for a comment from that awful nurse

ismet

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 12:05

Never heard of such a thing . The first things you do in a suspected heart attack phone for the emergency services , and give an aspirin , artery opening drugs work better given in the first hr

Simbas

CarrieRBag



Joined: 23/12/2008
Posts: 1374

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 13:08

I read you should try and cough and keep coughing to keep the heart going...is this right?

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 13:59

RE msg 6, darrener2: Well said! It's irresponsible nonsense, which should not appear on this bulletin board. "Medical threads" on C44 should be restricted to plain questions about names and detailed info (doctors, hospitals etc). Not many (if any) on C44 are qualified to comment on the content of message 1 nor have "a view" on it.

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 14:23

Never heard of that either CarrieRBag

Simbas

CarrieRBag



Joined: 23/12/2008
Posts: 1374

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 14:39

Just checked it on the net Simbas and its rubbish (the coughing thing) so please everyone, do not take any notice and apologies for putting on without double checking!

flutterby


Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 214

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 14:42

CarrieRBag, I had heard about the coughing thing too!

helper


Joined: 16/01/2009
Posts: 235

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 14:47

Hello, Bleeding a person from anywhere will not help a heart attack. If you suspect you are having a heart attack and you are ALONE, the recomendation IS TO COUGH, a gutteral cough as long as you can, or until help arrives. The action of coughing does draw air into the lungs and causes your blood to circulate. Again this is for a person having a heart attack and are on their own.

If you witness a person having a heart attack - FIRST call 112 Get them on their way. If patient unconsious -Begin continuous heart compressions. Place one hand on top of the other. interlock your fingers-Keep your arms straight, your shoulders should be over the centre of the casualties chest. Compress/ press down 4 or 5 cm deep you should aim for 100 compressions per minute. Continue, until ambulance staff take over.

Please note

latest guidelines are that mouth to mouth resus' is NO LONGER required. The action of cardiopulmonary compressions (heart compressions) draws enough air into the lungs

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 15:03

CarrieRBag. Yes I too have heard of this. I believe it was reported in a national newspaper.

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 16:44

Such information is doing the rounds on the internet and therefore I find it useful to see if anybody can verify it with some authority. In this instance the claim looks unsubstantiated and therefore should be treated as wrong information. I see nothing wrong about seeking some information from an informative forum like this one. We have members from all walks of life here.

ismet

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 18:57

I always carry a supply of emergency leaches or lampreys as they are good for getting the blood out quickly and avoids the charges of attempted murder if a knife or razor used (plus 5 year UK jail sentence)

Only joking

Administer an aspirin as Simbas as said I think the awful nurse will be regretting what has turned out to be a skiing holiday

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 19:44

wanderer disolveable or ordinary or does it not matter, only when i had my cabin staff traing we were told 3 x 75ml asprin disolveable. i wonder nowif that was because of cabin pressure x

basheer



Joined: 22/12/2008
Posts: 949

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 19:49

mess 11

correct heard the same cough until help comes

CarrieRBag



Joined: 23/12/2008
Posts: 1374

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 19:53

I believe I saw the coughing thing in an email and therefore went to Hoax Slayer and this is the email scam concerning a heart attack and coughing.



http://www.hoax-slayer.com/survive-heart-attack.html



Note the STATUS please.

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 20:13

I can say with some experience that if someone is experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack then the medical services will tell you to get the patient to chew on 3 asprin if they are able. Thery do not tell you to cut the fingers and whilst not being a medical person I cannot understand how this may help! The important thing is to know that they have the symptoms of a heart attack, giving asprin to a patient who is having a stroke bleed will cause more problems. I guess we should all check on what the symptoms are for these medical emergencies. Pain in the chest along with aching arm and aching jaw are classic signs of a heart attack.

khristy


Joined: 14/05/2010
Posts: 181

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 20:16

basheer carrieRbag

coughing is only if you are alone

see msg16 from helper

helper information is up to date and correct



also you can see resuscitation council uk, it has the latest guidelines

hope this helps

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 20:17

plus grey skin and sweating profusely........any doubts whatsoeve just ring for an emergency ambulance and let the professionals decide.....

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 20:29

liz standard aspirin under the tongue it will dissolve into the system quickly and help with recovery and reduce damage but not stop the attack

janjin



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 488

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 21:57

Shouldn't the person be concious if you are putting Asprin in the mouth?

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 21:59

under the tongue it dissolves very small tablet

helper


Joined: 16/01/2009
Posts: 235

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 22:22

Should you find a person having a stroke, CALL 112 THEN -Put an ice pack wraped in cloth even a t -shirt will do. (Never place direct onto skin) OR- A cold compress, on the back of the neck, this reduces the flow of blood to the brain therfore slowing the 'bleed' in the brain and could save their life.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 22:32

such useful advice. im so glad this was a posting, i have learnt so much x

Blackbird



Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1432

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 23:51

A heart attack is caused by a blockage in the arteries that stops the supply of blood of the heart. The blockage is cholesterol build up.

I've never heard of pricking the finger, or coughing????

All of this is close to me, because I had a heart attack in October 2001, and have been OK ever since. Well that is until Saturday, when I had chest pains and took myself off to A&E. Thankfully it was a false alarm, the doctors reckon I must had strained something...

oceana


Joined: 12/07/2010
Posts: 395

Message Posted:
30/11/2010 00:05

I agree with msg 11. I heard that anyone who does have a stroke should cough or try to cough to get the heart pumping! Coughing does seem like the only way to help the heart through the body it self. Plus I heard from a doctor that coughing is a mechanism which defends the body from any outside illnesses that tries to get in to the human body.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
30/11/2010 07:26

Ismet.... you've been had.



The one sure fire way to ensure that someone with a suspected heart-attack does succumb to a full blown cardiac arrest is to come at them with a knife exclaiming... "we've got to let blood from all your fingers!"



The internet, don't you just love it... Where once you only heard crap like this is in your local, you can now be bombarded with utter nonsense 24/7 from the comfort of your own den...



The knob-head who started off this 'health tip' will be pissing themselves laughing when this nugget of nonsense finds its way back to them and is repeated dead-pan as if Gospel truth.



The very sad thing is... whilst forgoing the attentions of the emergency services so that some poor dupe can administer this dodgy procedure, somebody will probably die.... but that's never stopped the knob-heads from starting the rumours... they just crave the attention.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
23/01/2011 11:01

Just picked up this thread and there are a few 'daft' facts on here.



If you have ever witnessed someone having a heart attack they are usually panicking so trying to get them to cough is going to be a hard task. When you cough you exhale so are therefore taking air from the lungs and not to them!



Message 16

I would urge everyone NOT to start heart compressions on an unconscious patient put them in the recovery position until help arrives.

Only start CPR if the patient has no vital signs i.e. they are not breathing and have no pulse.



Re the aspirin only give it after asking if they know if the are not allergic to it, then get them to chew it if they are able as it is absorbed quickly through the mucous membranes

.

Wanderer I think the very small tablet you are thinking of is possibly GTN rather than aspirin and is given for angina attacks.



Chris

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
23/01/2011 12:48

Ischemic strokes result from injuries that reduce blood flow to a region of the brain without initially causing significant cerebral bleeding; usually, the vascular damage is caused by the sudden blockage of a cerebral artery. Most ischemic strokes are due to blood clots.



Hemorrhagic strokes result from injuries that cause bleeding into the brain or the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the outset; usually, the vascular damage is a tear in an artery or the rupture of an aneurysm



Message 29 Forget the ice-pack it probably won't do any good the best first aid you can administer in the case of a stroke is to call 112 as you rightly said and get them to a hospital as fast as you can, you have a 4-5 hour window to get thrombolytic treatment started and reduce any long lasting damage.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
23/01/2011 12:53

Some simple tests you can carry out if you suspect a person of having a stroke. Easy to remember as it is the first 3 letters of STRoke.



Smile. Ask the person to smile. Does their face look uneven?

Talk. Ask the person to repeat a phrase. Does their speech sound strange?

Raise your arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift down?



If these symptoms present call 112 immediately.



Chris

Sugarpuffbear


Joined: 14/05/2010
Posts: 64

Message Posted:
23/01/2011 13:09

Having just completed an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) course as our village in the UK has just bought one of these machines and wanted people to train to use it.

I would refer you all to the website of the Resuscitation Council (UK).

http://www.resus.org.uk/pages/bls.pdf

Here you will find up to date instructions on what to do in a summary below. There can be a couple of mouth to mouth rescue breaths in between 30 compressions if you so wish but they are not essential, the compressions are the main thing, and can be quite tiring.

Hope this helps everyone and possibly saves a life.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
23/01/2011 13:55

If anyone is concerned that they do not know what to do in the event of someone having a heart attack/stroke or other trauma situations then I would suggest you partake of the training courses laid on by the 112 organisation. One day it could be you that is the only person around to administer essential first aid. What you do not know unfortunately could make the difference between life and death.

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
23/01/2011 15:19

I have known some people have been rushed to hospital with a severe Panic Attack too.This can be very frightening too as people feel and think they are having a Heart Attack and are going to die. Hope this link helps.



http://www.wikihow.com/Help-Someone-Having-a-Panic-Attack



It is also very important to remember if someone is able to hold their hands together over their face and breath slowly.



Spider,X

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
23/01/2011 20:56

With the greatest respect spider people die from heart attack and stroke. To my knowledge nobody has died from a panic attack!



Chris

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
23/01/2011 21:28

Chris what is up with you of late ? Please show some respect also for those that may well have suffered with Panic Attacks as some as I stated have a fear that they may well be having a heart attack..at no point in my postings have I needed to criticise your posting..I also stated that some have been taken to hospital with severe Panic Attacks.and its my guess that sometimes the decisions of qualified paramedics have felt this being the best thing for them..



Now please what have you to say...That maybe I should have started a NEW THREAD. Whatever.



To your knowledge no one has died from a Panic Attack, well to my Knowledge no one has died of Yuppie Flu, but I knew someone who blow his BRAINS OUT, because he could not live with it.



Spider,X

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
23/01/2011 21:46

Chris did, you even bother to read the link, with regards to signs and symptoms, maybe not.







Spider,X