Something that is a fairly common health condition in the UK and all over the world is coronary heart disease. This is a condition that leads to many health problems and can even result in something as serious as a heart attack, which can often be fatal.
A heart attack can strike at any time, whether you are active or resting. If you are at a large event, there will be an event first aid cover company there who will be able to help with this, and if you are at work there should be someone there who has attended a first aid in the workplace course who will be able to recognise what is happening and act accordingly.
But if you are alone or at home with family, the chances are that there may not be immediate help on hand, this is why it is good to be prepared for what to look for and what signs there are that will tell you that you may be having a heart attack.
As well as this, it is good for people to attend first aid courses, just to make sure that you can be well equipped to prepare for every eventuality. There are many places that offer first aid courses, and some which focus specifically on family first aid too, which is also useful if you have young children.
It is also important that you are aware if you or any other family members have heart disease, as this is something that is likely to increase the risks of having a heart attack. If you are concerned about developing heart disease, or have a family history of it, there are lots of things that you can do to reduce the risks of developing it.
Eating healthy foods and reducing the fat and sugar in your diet will be a huge help. Eat more whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits and try to steer clear of foods that contain lots of salt or fats and sugars, such as pre-packaged meals and processed foods.
Exercise is also something that can help to reduce the risks of heart problems. Gentle exercise, done regularly such as a daily walk, cycling or swimming are all great ways to keep your body fit and healthy. This is great for your heart, as it is a muscle and like all muscles needs to be worked regularly!
Spotting the signs of these conditions is important of course – knowing what to look out for could save your life or someone else’s – so what are the main things to look for?
Chest Pain – Pain in the chest is a common symptom of a heart attack – it can be in the chest, and also spread down the arm and up into the neck.
Feeling Dizzy or Lightheaded – This is something else to look out for, as sometimes the pain in the chest will not be the main symptom.
