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Recognising Attacks, and during the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond 1 endorsed by 01789 867 501 01789 867 

www.heartrhythmalliance.org  [email protected]  Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of Sudden weakness legs, hands or feet. the body, including in clear Difficulty finding words or speaking sentences. in one or Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight both eyes. and Sudden memory loss or confusion, or a sudden fall. A sudden, severe . Ambulance paramedics are trained in , and trained Ambulance paramedics are specialist best hospital for person to the will take the treatment. • • • • • do not a stroke, these signs of any of spot If you wait. Call 999 straight away. Published April Published 2020 © Alliance Registered Charity No. 1107496 Charity No. 1107496 Alliance Registered Arrhythmia ©

. The quicker the person the quicker The .

999 test : Can the person speak clearly FAST - Professor Ahmet Fuat GP and GP Specialist in Ahmet Fuat GP and GP - Professor

during the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond during Coronavirus the pandemic . test helps to spot the three most common test helps to spot the three

: Arm weakness. Can the person raise both : Arm weakness. Can the person raise : If you see any of these three signs, it’s time Recognising Heart Attacks, Strokes and Heart Failure and Heart Failure Heart Strokes Recognising Attacks, : Facial weakness. Can the person smile? Has weakness. : Facial

FAST

call 999

you should always take seriously. These include: symptoms of stroke. But there are other signs symptoms are other that But there of stroke. The arrives at a specialist stroke unit, the quicker they will receive appropriate treatment emergency. Always dial emergency. or get better when they first start, so you need to medical is a stroke A medical help. seek immediate There is no way of knowing if symptoms will pass to Time slurred? Speech problems and understand what you say? Is their speech arms and keep them there? Arms their face fallen on one side? Face Signs of stroke - best way to do this. yourself or someone else. Using the FAST test is the yourself or someone else. Using the FAST rhythm disorder called . It is vital to is vital It Fibrillation. Atrial called disorder rhythm signs of a stroke in know how to spot the warning pressure, or if you have an irregular heart irregular pressure, diabetes or if you have an happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. It is any at age, of any to anyone, happen blood high controlled poorly have if you commoner Stroke Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK. It can 999. seeking help when they should do. If you have any seeking help when they should do. should call you below, symptoms described of the hospital with heart attacks, strokes and heart failure heart strokes and attacks, heart hospital with not are people suggests that which weeks, in recent We are hearing that fewer people are being seen in being people are fewer that hearing are We www.heartrhythmalliance.org   [email protected] 01789 867 501

Recognising Heart Attacks,Recognising Strokes Heart Failure and Heart pandemic the Coronavirus during and beyond 

Recognising Heart Attacks, Strokes and Heart Failure during the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond

- Professor Ahmet Fuat GP and GP Specialist in cardiology

Symptoms of a heart attack What is HEART Failure?

Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person. Heart failure is a condition where the heart does not pump blood around the body in sufficient They can include: quantities or strength to nourish the body tissues. • or discomfort in your chest that happens It is commoner as you get older, if you have had suddenly and does not go away. a heart attack that damages heart muscle (one of • Pain that spreads to your left or right arm, or the reasons why you should seek help urgently), to your neck, jaw, back or stomach. For some if you have poorly controlled diabetes, high people the pain or tightness is severe, while for blood pressure, smoke, drink too much alcohol others it is uncomfortable or have an irregular heart rhythm called Atrial • Feeling sick, sweaty, light-headed or short of Fibrillation. breath. Patients can present with increasing swelling of It is possible to have a heart attack without feet, ankles or lower legs, on experiencing all these symptoms, and it is important walking, climbing stairs and sometimes lying flat to remember everyone experiences pain differently. in bed and some wake up suddenly from sleep This is common in the elderly or people with struggling to breathe and coughing up frothy diabetes, as the condition can cause nerve damage . which affects how you feel pain. If you are getting any of these symptoms please What should I do if I think I am having a heart contact your GP for assessment and tests, most attack? of which can be done at the GP surgery. Do not delay because of fear of coronavirus because if It’s important you get medical attention immediately. diagnosed and treated early this can improve Do not worry about ‘wasting’ paramedics’ time – a your symptoms, stop it getting worse and keep heart attack is a medical emergency. you out of hospital.

You should: Heart • call 999 for an ambulance • sit down and stay calm Heart palpitations are heartbeats that suddenly • take a 300mg if you have one become more noticeable. Your heart may feel like within reach it is pounding, fluttering or beating irregularly, • wait for the paramedics. often for just a few seconds or minutes. You may also feel these sensations in your throat or neck. Palpitations may seem alarming, but in most cases they are harmless and are not normally a sign of a serious problem. Sometimes you may feel an extra or missed beat. These are known as ectopic beats and are also usually nothing to worry about.

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© Arrhythmia Alliance Registered Charity No. 1107496 2 Published April 2020 Recognising Heart Attacks, Strokes and Heart Failure during the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond 3 endorsed by 01789 867 501 01789 867

 www.heartrhythmalliance.org  [email protected]  You will You be kept apart from patients suffering from suspected or confirmed coronavirus, making it very you delay, you If infected. will become unlikely you are more likely to suffer serious heart damage and spend to and care intensive need to likely more longer in hospital. Should I still call 999 or go to hospital I’m if Should I still 999 or go to call about my health? worried symptoms, or not you have coronavirus it Whether symptoms that have dial 999 if you is essential to heart or if your or a stroke, attack could be a heart symptoms get worse. too think hospitals are you because delay Do not treat to in place systems NHS still has the busy - people for heart attacks and strokes. Published April Published 2020

© Arrhythmia Alliance Registered Charity No. 1107496 Charity No. 1107496 Alliance Registered Arrhythmia © - Professor Ahmet Fuat GP and GP Specialist in cardiology Ahmet Fuat GP and GP - Professor

during the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond during Coronavirus the pandemic

dizziness or light-headedness fainting or blackouts (www.stars.org.uk) severe shortness of breath or tightness carry out an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check carry out an electrocardiogram (ECG) equipment your heart rhythm (if the GP has the available) ask about your symptoms and ask about your symptoms and medical arrange a blood test or get worse you have a history of heart problems you are concerned about the palpitations the palpitations last a long time, do not improve not do time, long a last palpitations the Recognising Heart Attacks, Strokes and Heart Failure and Heart Failure Heart Strokes Recognising Attacks,

potentially life-threatening heart problem that heart potentially life-threatening should be checked by a doctor straight away. These symptoms could indicate a serious or • • • following symptoms: • A&E if you have heart palpitations and any of the of any and palpitations heart have A&E if you Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest When to get emergency help get emergency When to hospital. GP wants to arrange heart monitoring over a longer heart to arrange GP wants for tests at a local you may be referred time period, If you cannot have an ECG at the GP surgery or the at the GP surgery If you cannot have an ECG • • To help find the cause, a GP may: help To •

• • But it is a good idea to see a GP if: • treatment. a serious problem and probably will not need will not probably and serious problem a if the palpitations pass quickly occasionally. and only They happen are unlikely to be caused by You do not usually need to see or speak to a GP do not usually need to see or speak You When to see a GP When to