Strokes and heart attacks are two of the leading causes of death for aging adults. However, if a senior is having a heart attack, chances for survival are quite good if they get medical treatment quickly. Family caregivers should take some time to learn about the common and not-so-common symptoms of a heart attack so they can determine when it’s time to call for help. Then, they need to inform anyone else that works with the aging adult, from elderly care providers to family members, on when to call 911 for help.
What is a Heart Attack?
The heart receives oxygen-rich blood thanks to a network of vessels. The oxygen feeds the cells and keeps everything healthy and strong. When a blood vessel is blocked, and blood cannot get to the heart, the cells begin to die, causing heart damage. If too much of the heart muscle becomes damaged, then a cardiac arrest can happen. Family caregivers who don’t know how to recognize the early warning signs of a heart attack may be unknowingly delaying life-saving treatment for their elderly loved one.
What are Early Heart Attack Symptoms?
Everyone knows about the symptom of chest pain, particularly appearing on the left side or the center. Other symptoms that aren’t as well known include sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, pain in the neck and jaw, and heartburn. Sometimes, these other symptoms can happen in the absence of chest pains as not every elderly person experiences them when they have a heart attack. Family caregivers need to make others, like friends and elderly care providers, aware of these lesser-known symptoms so they can act quickly.
How Does Early Treatment Help Seniors?
When a blood vessel is restricted and cutting off the flow to the heart, doctors can often use medicine to open it up again. The shorter the time the heart is deprived of oxygen, the better the chance of recovery. If seniors can get treatment within the first three hours of a heart attack, things look very good for them. However, from 6 to 12 hours of delay, the odds of preventing cellular damage in the heart can decline quickly.
When aging adults are at the hospital for a heart attack, they are in a much better place if they should go into cardiac arrest as a result of the heart attack. Family caregivers, elderly care providers, and others should not hesitate to seek medical help for the aging adult, even if they are not sure about whether it is a heart attack or not. In all cases, it’s better to be at the hospital for a false alarm than at home while the elderly adult suffers without treatment.
It’s a real challenge for family caregivers and elderly care providers to know precisely whether or not a heart attack is taking place. However, ignoring symptoms or delaying medical treatment can lead to the worst possible situation.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care Services in Los Angeles, CA, please call Mom's Home Care and talk to our friendly, knowledgeable staff. Our number is 323-244-4789
