Recent cardiac arrest incident is good reminder to pay attention to signs of heart attack

A 64-year-old man called 9-1-1 when he felt chest pain on Oct. 22.

November 1, 2012 12:52 pm
A Heart Attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped. This happens because coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood can slowly become thicker and harder from a buildup of fat
A Heart Attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped. This happens because coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood can slowly become thicker and harder from a buildup of fat

A 64-year-old man called 9-1-1 when he felt chest pain on Oct. 22.

As Kirkland Fire Department rescue crews arrived, the man went into cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started. Aid crews also used a defibrillator to help get the patient’s heart started again. The man’s heart stopped many times at the scene and on the way to Evergreen Hospital Medical Center.

By the following day, hospital staff cleared a 100 percent block of a major artery and the patient was doing fine.

The Kirkland Fire Department is asking all residents to know the symptoms of a heart attack and call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. However, according to the American Heart Association, the most common symptoms of a heart attack include chest discomfort, discomfort radiating to the upper body, shortness of breath and sweating, nausea, lightheadedness. Symptoms can be different for men and women. To learn more, go to the American Heart Association website at www.heart.org.