Chest pain is a serious symptom, which is most often brought on by coronary heart disease.
How can you tell if someone is having chest pain?
Chest pain is felt in the upper body and can radiate to the left armpit, down the arm and to the neck. A person who is suffering from chest pain can experience cold sweats, feel nauseous and have difficulty breathing.
Chest pain should always be taken seriously. Chest pain can be brought on by coronary heart disease, which causes narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, resulting in symptoms. A narrowed artery can become blocked and cause a heart attack. A heart attack can progress to cardiac arrest.
With chest pain, it is always best to call the emergency number (112).
What to do if someone is having chest pain:
Speak soothing words and help the person into a half-seated position.
If the patient has been prescribed nitrates and they have their medication with them, help them to take their medication. You can also give them a low dose of chewable acetylsalicylic acid (such as half an Aspirin® or Disperin®) if they are not allergic to the medicine.
Keep monitoring the person’s breathing and blood circulation as you wait for professional help to arrive.
If the person becomes unresponsive, start performing CPR in cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths. Let emergency services know about the change in the person’s condition.