Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is interrupted. The symptoms of a heart attack are crushing pain in the centre of the chest that may irradiate to the left arm or jaw, breathlessness, pale skin, cold sweat and an irregular pulse.

The following paragraphs outline some guidelines on the treatment of a heart attack.

1) Place the casualty in a comfortable position. This could be sitting with their back and shoulders supported by a cushion and knees bent and also supported by a cushion.

2) Monitor their breathing and circulation while the medical emergency team arrives. Initiate CPR if necessary.

Shock

Circulatory shock occurs when there is a loss in the volume of circulating blood leading to a fall in blood pressure. This type of shock is different from psychogenic shock, which is when a person suffers emotional stress. The following paragraphs outline some guidelines on the treatment of shock.

1) Treat any possible causes of shock such as severe bleeding.

2) Lay the casualty down and raise the legs if they are not injured.

3) Keep the casualty warm by wrapping with a blanket or clothing item.

4) Check consciousness, breathing and pulse until the medical emergency team arrives. Be prepared to resuscitate if necessary.

Whilst treating shock, the following precautions should be observed

• Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink

• Do not leave the casualty on their own

• Do not try to warm the casualty with a direct source of heat such as a hot-water bottle

• Constantly reassure the casualty and make them comfortable

Exercises

I. Translate the text.

II. Complete the following. Choose the right word from the list.

a small amount of blood

the flow of blood

the ‘rule of nines’

the skin layers

a reduction

dark blood

light red

external

internal

follows

closed

shock

open

fails

1. With all types of bleeding, it's important to stop … as quickly as possible.

2. Bleeding can be …, caused from wounds, or … if it is caused by trauma, fractures or ruptured organs.

3. Deeper cuts in the veins produce … that seeps out slowly and steadily.

4. The blood by arterial bleeding is often a … colour.

5. Shock and fainting occur when only … circulates to the brain.

6. Shock usually … severe injuries.

7. If the circulatory system … and insufficient oxygen reaches the tissues, the medical condition known as shock occurs.

8. Shock can develop as a result of … in the volume of fluid circulating around the body.

9. Burns, bleeding from the gut, fractures and other traumas may cause circulatory collapse and … .

10. Fractures are described as … if the skin remains unbroken. If there is a wound at or near the break, it is said to be an … fractures.

11. Burns destroy … leading to infection and fluid loss.

12. Another method to determine the extent of burns is … by which the body is divided in 9 equal parts.

III. Select the suitable preposition from the list. Before, below, by, in, to, with

1. Shock following an injury is the result of a de­crease … the vital functions of the various organs of the body.

2. Burns are caused … dry heat, or … something else than water;

3. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply … the heart muscle is interrupted.

4. Frostbite may also be accompanied … hypothermia.

5. The treatment of generalized (immersion) hypothermia begins … artificial respiration, using oxygen if available.

6. The patient … hypothermia must be observed closely.

7. The risk of shock and fluid loss is proportional … the area affected … the burn.

8. … the case of electrical burns, make sure that the contact … the electrical source is broken.

9. If the casualty has a lower limb fracture, the leg can be straightened … applying gentle traction … immobilization.

10. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops … 35°C/95°F.