HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid

Slideshow 4
Chest Pain
 Chest Pain
• There are many different conditions which can
cause chest pain. These can include: heart attack,
angina, indigestion and muscle strain or
inflammation in the ribs near the breast bone.
• A person experiencing chest pain will need to
seek medical aid promptly in order to know the
cause of the chest pain.
• If chest pain is severe, getting worse or lasts more
than 10 minutes, it may indicate a heart attack.
 Chest Pain
Signs and Symptoms
• Pain, pressure, tightness of heaviness in the: chest,
shoulder(s), neck, arm(s), jaw or back
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Pale, cool, clammy skin
• Feeling dizzy, light headed or
short of breath
• Collapse
• Loss of consciousness
 Chest Pain
Steps to assist the casualty
• Call ambulance
• Assist the casualty to rest
• Assist the casualty to take any prescribed
medication
• If the casualty is conscious sit them in a safe
comfortable position
• Monitor and record vital signs
• If the casualty is unconscious follow Basic Life
Support steps
 Heart Attack
• A heart attack occurs when the blood supply
to part of the heart muscles is suddenly
blocked and that part of the muscle is
deprived of oxygen and starts to die. Damage
to the heart can be permanent and even fatal.
• The casualty must receive urgent medical
attention, every minute counts. Call 000.
Signs and symptoms are the same as chest
pain.
 Angina
• Angina is a medical term used to describe
chest pain. The pain is caused when the
arteries that supply the heart becomes
restricted, resulting in reduced blood flow to
the heart muscle. Angina usually occurs when
the heart is put under stress and has to pump
more blood - physical exercise or emotional
stress.
 Angina
Signs and Symptoms
• Feeling weak of faint
• Chest pain may spread to other areas
• Pale, cool, clammy skin
• Nausea
 Angina
Steps to assist the casualty
• Try to keep the casualty comfortable
• Assist the casualty to take any prescribed
medication
• Reassure the casualty and monitor condition
• If there is no improvement within 10 minutes
or the condition worsens call ambulance
 Assessment Task
• Please proceed to the Assessment Task