Circulatory Emergencies: Heart Attack and Angina

Participants enrolled in standard first aid training will learn to recognize, provide care and treatment for patients suffering from a heart attack or angina. Courses are available in every province with classes now available in Mississauga. To complete the course candidates must include the skills learned in previous sections of the course and include the components mentioned on this page when treating victims of heart attacks or angina. The material posted on this page is for information purposes only, candidates that want to learn to help victims of circulatory emergencies should enrol in a standard first aid course.

Participants must include the following components when treating victims of heart attacks and angina:

  • Check the scene for any dangers or hazards.
  • Determine the cause, mechanism of injury or history. Rescuers can use symptoms, medical history and other information to help determine the cause of the emergency.
    Patient suffering from Heart Attack
    Chest pain and discomfort is one of the common symptoms of heart attacks.
  • Assess the victims level of consciousness.
  • Complete the primary assessment (which includes: assess the level of consciousness, check ABC’s, obtain a AED, contact EMS and complete a rapid body survey).
  • Ask the patient to stop any activity and place them into a semi-sitting position or a stopped position that is comfortable to him or her.
  • Reassure the patient.
  • If the patient has medication, locate it and assist them to take the medication (rescuer can not administer the medication).
  • Treat for shock and monitor the patients vitals.

Additional Notes:

  • Patient may be required to take ASA (Aspirin). If the patient is required to take a ASA, the rescuer can assist the patient to take 1 “regular strength” or two “low dose” aspirin.
  • If the patient is required to take Nitroglycerine (likely for angina), rescuer needs to be aware of other performance enhancing drugs, decreasing levels of consciousness and a maximum dose of 3.

The likely signs and symptoms of a heart attack or angina include:

  • Chest pain
  • Tightness of chest.
  • Pain radiating across back, arm, neck, stomach, shoulder and / or jaw.
  • Shortness of breath or difficult breathing.
  • Denial

Learn to recognize and treat circulatory emergencies like angina and heart attacks by taking a standard first aid course. Participants will learn all of the requirements posted above and additional information with treating and recognizing heart attacks and angina.