on 16/6/01 5:02 am, Jeremy Mayhew at [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Advise what to
> do if pain returns, and if pain persists more than 15 minutes, not
> responding to rest or GTN to call 999.
I work with seriously stoic populations, so I print out the following advice
sheet for them and their relatives (comments welcome):
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Chest Pain and Angina
What causes chest pain?
Chest pain can be caused by many things. It can be as simple as a pulled
muscle or as serious as heart problems.
What is angina?
Angina is the pain you get when your heart is not getting enough oxygen.
In angina the pain is felt as...
- an ache in the middle of the chest
- it can feel like someone pressing or sitting on your chest
- it may go down your arm
- it may go up into your neck
What should I do if I get angina?
- rest by sitting or lying down
- take some of your angina medication if you have some (eg: GTN Spray)
When should I call my doctor?
When angina does not settle quickly with rest it may be a heart attack.
This is when the blood supply to part of the heart is suddenly blocked
completely. The proper name for this is a myocardial infarction (or MI for
short).
The following are symptoms of a heart attack...
- a tight or crushing pain in your chest, neck, jaw or left arm (like
angina)
- feeling breathless
- nausea (feeling like you are going to "throw up" or be "sick")
- vomiting
- sweating profusely
- looking very pale or "grey" (ask someone else how you look)
Unlike angina, the pain of a heart attack does not go away completely when
you rest or if you take your GTN spray.
Heart attacks are very serious but can be treated. The danger is in the
first few hours. Modern treatments are very effective if used within the
first four hours. So it is very important that you do not delay calling for
help.
IF YOU GET SOME OF THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS AND THEY LAST FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES
YOU SHOULD CALL YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY FOR ADVICE
Do not wait until morning - call straight away!
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Robbie Coull
email: [log in to unmask] website: http://www.coull.net
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