Chest Pain at home? What to do if it happens to you

THE staff at Yea and District Memorial Hospital (YDMH) want people to know that their health and safety is of YDMH’s utmost concern. It is for this reason that if you are to call with the complaint of chest pain, we will always advise that you hang up and ring 000. Immediate help is your best chance for survival if you are having a heart attack or another serious heart problem. The amazing Ambulance Victoria paramedics can not only diagnose your heart attack but can start lifesaving treatment en-route to hospital.

What is chest pain?

Chest pain is any sort of pain felt in your upper body, from your jaw down to the bottom of your ribs, including your back and shoulder blades.
How do I know if my chest pain is serious? Chest pain can be a symptom of a heart attack or another cardiac condition, whether or not your chest pain symptoms include mild to severe pain, they should be considered heart-related until proven otherwise.

What should I do if I experience chest pain?

If you have any of the symptoms below, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. If calling triple zero (000) does not work on your mobile phone, try calling 112.
Call if your chest pain is severe, or worsening, or has lasted longer than 10 minutes; if your chest pain feels heavy, crushing or tight; if you have other symptoms, such as breathlessness, nausea, dizziness or a cold sweat; of if you also feel the pain in your jaw or down your left arm.

While waiting for the ambulance

Stop any activity and rest while waiting for an ambulance. Don’t try to drive yourself to hospital. Loosen any tight clothing, such as collar buttons, ties or bra. Tell someone how you are feeling. Don’t have anything to eat or drink.
If you have been prescribed angina medicine, sit or lie down and take a dose of this under your tongue. If this doesn’t relieve your symptoms in five minutes, try taking two more doses at five minute intervals. Chew 300mg aspirin straight away, unless you’re allergic or your doctor has told you not to. Do not give aspirin to anyone under 12 years.

Yea and District Memorial Hospital – Cardiac Support Program

YDMH has a Cardiac Support program in place that provides a multidisciplinary approach to both prevention and early intervention against Cardiovascular Disease. Cardiac health nurse, Shona, and our dietician, Chloe, work in conjunction with local GPs to facilitate the following services: blood pressure, heart rhythm and secondary symptom monitoring; dietary consultation and advice in relation to lifestyle and diet risk factors; and community education regarding early recognition of acute events and required action

Community members can make an appointment to meet with either Shona or Chloe at any stage to access any of these services.
To further support the community understanding their their heart health, Yea and District Memorial Hospital is home to a Shane Warne Legacy Heart Health Station.

In just four minutes, this station measures body mass index and body fat, diabetes type two risk, blood pressure, heart rate and perceived stress level, ultimately providing your heart health age.
It provides the results directly to an app on your phone or to your email. Utilising the results, you can then have a discussion with your GP, or any of the YDMH team about your current health and whether there are any risks that need addressing.

To make an appointment to meet with the Cardiac Health Program team, call 5736 0400

To access the Shane Warne Legacy Heart Health Station, go to the Grace Bennetts Centre on a Monday, Tuesday or Friday between 9am and noon and a staff member will be there to support you.

by Yea and District Memorial Hospital

Image by- Eric Chan

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